Christmas Part 2

As you can see we try to pack as much fun and tradition into the Christmas season as we can. (not the usual shopping, shopping, shopping!) We sooo enjoy this time of the year! I love the lights, weather, community and church events that go with it!

A lot of the traditions we have revolve around discussions of Christ, his birth, his life, his death, his purpose, and the call we have to continue to share each of these things with the world. We want our children to remember Christmas past as a time when great memories were made with family, friends, and neighbors and that some of the best of them were made giving to others.

The weekend before Christmas we attended an open house at Bryant's Miniatures. We have been out to these stables before but never for their Christmas open house. The girls loved it. My children are not only crazy about babies but animals as well!

They even got to pet and feed the camel. The Bryant's have such a neat variety of animals. Delaney was able to name the camel and donkey because of our talk about the nativity.

*Just a quick note...this year the girls were given the little people nativity at the beginning of December. Genna and Delaney played with it often. While they were playing I would tell them the story again and explain who each animal or person was. After a few times D would approach it and say Mary, baby Jesus, wise men, and etc.. It turned out to be a great hands on learning tool for her. I loved it!

After leaving the stables we headed out to get our Christmas tree. I know the weekend before Christmas....we were a little behind, but it was perfect there was snow on the ground and everything!!

We picked a great tree...GREAT BIG that is! The room it was going in only has 8ft ceilings and the tree was a little over 8ft. Josh cut off a little at the bottom and brought it in. He put on the lights and we decorated it. Then Grace got the honor of putting on the star.

That is when we realized a little more needed to be cut off. The girls insisted however that we leave it. So this is how our star remained the rest of the season!

One more post coming up!

Christmas Season 2010 Part 1

It has seemed like forever since I blogged!

Things have been busy around here. However, they have also been great! I hate to say "it has been busy" like it was a bad thing. Most everything that occupied our time in December were things we chose to do or felt God had led us to do..... so no complaining here!

A quick update before all the Christmas stuff.

This month we sold Josh's car in order to get a vehicle with a few more miles on it and to eliminate a vehicle payment. We also were able to sell his 1975 CJ5, for all you JEEP lovers out there you know this was a BIG deal. This was his baby, his project. He decided to sell it though, knowing that his time with "his baby" would be even more limited with another child around and that we could use the extra money....

Last month we had to replace the washer and dryer unexpectedly. So selling both of those were a huge blessing.

Also Josh's new-to-him ride is in the JEEP family, just an FYI for all of you who were feeling bad for the guy!! ; ) I did feel a little bit sorry for him.

Last Thursday we went to our fingerprint appointment at the United States Citizen and Immigration Services. Everything went well and we are hoping to hear back that we are clear. At that point, we will be referral ready, except for the rest of the fundraising!

Now on to some of the CHRISTMAS FUN!

We started off the season with Genna's school Christmas program. She was so excited! I didn't want to send her to school all day in a dress, so I stayed up the night before and made her a Christmas shirt! She loved it!

The girls were in the Christmas program at our church. Genna was Mary and Grace was a modern day girl. Can you tell they both love to sing!! Both their mouths are open the widest!

Grace's program at school had to be rescheduled due to the four snow days we had before break.

They did a wonderful job, even though most of their rehearsal was done a few hours before the program.

The girls love to be in the kitchen and always want to help cook. So we spent a few days making gooodies! On this particular day, we made homemade thin mints, snicker doodles, chocolate chip cookies, and triple chocolate. A total of 16 dozen in all! The next afternoon they delivered the goodies to the neighbors in the snow. Oh what fun!!

And yes in this next picture I am on the floor with crazy braids in my hair letting D stir the cookie dough. She kept climbing from the stool onto the counter where the hot cookies were all laid out. So I sat down on the floor and let her stir with me there. I promise those of you who ate the cookies, none of them touched the floor!

More Christmas fun to come!

Our December Number & Upcoming Appointment

We received our new number today via e-mail from our agency. It alternates each month, one month we receive a phone call and the next an e-mail giving us our official number. We also received our appointment date and time via snail mail for fingerprinting through the USCIS (United States Citizen & Immigration Services). We will be traveling to St Louis around Christmas for the appointment. This is a great feeling because once that all goes through we will be referral ready. Then the only thing left for right now is continuing to fund raise and WAIT.
As odd as it may sound I am very content at this point with the wait. While I would love to have all four of my children here this Christmas, I am thankful for the time the Lord has given us for reflection and continued learning. We are preparing for this child and the work the Lord has in store for us in the future. We know that after our adoption we will continue to be involved in the care of orphans. We are not sure in what capacity that might be, but a burden has definitely been placed on our hearts for them.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning.

Psalm 130:5-6

Depraved Indifference

This video speaks volumes to my heart. I hope you will watch and be moved. I pray that God might continue to open our eyes to those around us in need. Those here in this community, state, country, and world. That he may help us to view others daily as he does.

A Sister? From Ethiopia?!? A Post by Gracie

In May I found out that I would have another sibling. That him or her would be from Africa. I was so excited, I thought 3 SIBLINGS!! Now November, we have done paperwork, rummage sales, trips, and made sacrifices.

Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(It's on my wall in my room)

So I believe that God has placed a lot of strength in us and has made our family strong.

Ephesians 1:5 says he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

I think since we have started adopting all of our family has grown a lot closer to him. Alex has been like a rope pulling us closer and closer to her and to him.

Every night at dinner this month we have been stating what we are thankful for; daddy and mommy are thankful for our family, me for family and friends, Delaney for Jesus, and every night Genna for ALEX!!!

Finally I want to share one of my favorite verses.

Jesus says my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in WEAKNESS.

2Corinthians 12:9

That means to me even though the adoption might be hard, in the end our power in the adoption will end up almost perfect through Christ!

Thanks, Gracie (11)

A Lifetime of Thanksgiving

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

That was just an excerpt of Colossians chapter 3 that instructs us as believers to put away our old ways and take on the new image given through our rebirth in Christ. This passage makes it very clear that we are to live with a constant heart of gratitude. That we are to focus our hearts intently on Christ in all things and at all times. Doing everything as an act of praise and thanks.

Webster's dictionary defines Thanksgiving as the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgement or celebration of divine goodness.

My prayer for this Thanksgiving Day is that we not make the celebration a one day event based on the history of this country. But in turn that we approach each day as a day of thanksgiving. A day when we are grateful in our prayers, actions, and acknowledgement of God.

~ANDREA

Anything Else? Thanks & Praise

Oh what a week! I started out the week being sick. I had fever, body aches, headache, and swollen throat. I was off two days of work and spent most of the time laying around like a slug. Complete with slimy clothes and hair...uugh! I had no motivation or energy to do anything. Wednesday I went back to work with no fever but still some symptoms, by Thursday I felt much better.

Early in the week my cell phone started going out. Continuous dropped calls, text messages coming in hours late, and the phone shutting down even with a full charge. I use my cell phone not only as my basic phone but also for work. Midweek my van started making loud, shrieking sounds anytime it was running. On Friday, the dryer quit. Oh my, what a week!!

I was excited that we had plans on Friday night to work a booth with our Senior High group from church. The annual county Christmas festival was this weekend. We sold white chocolate covered popcorn and dipped pretzels. The group had decided that all of the proceeds would go to by a gift through Samaritan's Purse. A goat is what one of our girls had set her eyes on to buy for a family in a third world country.

Saturday Josh, Gbug, D, and I watched the Christmas parade and enjoyed the decorations at Memorial park. We even stopped by the appliance store to order the new washer and dryer, which wasn't in our budget plans.

All in all the week turned out to be fine. As hard as it is at times to not let life's circumstances get to you, it is vital that we remember the blessings that abound. We have been given life. Not only the one we live here and now but the promise of an eternal one. So each day my prayer is that our family will choose to remember where true joy comes from and that above all worldly things it will prevail.

I am: Thankful that God chose to accept me as his child. Thankful for a heavenly father that loves me in spite of me. Thankful for the gift of his word and the Holy Spirit to guide me. Thankful that I was given another week with my family. Thankful we are free of illness. Thankful I am able to work and be in the ministry. Thankful for the freedom to worship. Thankful for the friends God has placed in my life. Thankful for more then I could ever put down on this page.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I hope you all have a wonderful week of family, friends, and Thanksgiving. ~Andrea

The Beginning of the Wait

We have been on the wait list for only about 3 weeks and I am already ready to go pick up my child! I know, I know it is going to take time and I know the Lord's time is perfect. BUT that still doesn't make me want to wait any longer! Maybe if I could even just hop a plane and go visit Ethiopia and the orphanage I would have a little more patience. That would be easy to set up right?
I do fully believe that His plan for our family is perfect and His timing is perfect. I also know that looking back over the course of my life even the things that were hard or that I struggled with He used them to mold me and steer me in the right direction. SO I know that everything is in His hands. I just feel very idle right now. My longing for our child is even stronger. I feel as though a piece of our family is missing. I don't know what she looks like, how tall she is, what her age is or much about her at all. I just she has been growing in my heart and I desire to hold her in my arms.
Another verse that I hold tucked in my heart: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.... Isaiah 40:31

What am I Willing to Sacrifice?

My thoughts have been going crazy lately. I have been challenging my own desires and questioning where my heart really lies. What does my life say? What do my daily activities say about my passion? What does my sacrifice reveal about me? Does my sacrifice or offering cost me anything? Does my sacrifice hurt? What am I willing to surrender? That I may live my life in complete accordance to God's will. Am I willing to give up the world and the world's desires? Am I willing to give my own desires? Am I will to live in a place of discomfort and affliction? Am I willing to follow His example and go outside the city?

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:12-16

Is It Bill Nye the Science Guy?

I am not sure how you all are spending your Saturday, but at our house Josh is teaching a small course on electricity. This is the kind of fun you get when your dad is an IET.

I am hearing the words volts, wires, current, and electromagnet being used several times. I just hope I don't find my girls trying to rewire the house in the next few days! They love and eat up every minute of time when they get their dad's full attention.

I hope you all are having a great weekend! We have a Deacon's dinner, church meeting, soccer, and electricity class already and it is just a little afternoon on Saturday!

The wait list has been busy this week. Several new families were placed on it, just like us, and many on it have received referrals. It is such a blessing to be a witness to it all. At least six children have been matched this week (through AGCI) with their forever families and a few went to court and were permanently made a part of a family!!! God's plans and provisions never cease to AMAZE me. What a mighty God we serve!

Big News!

We have been praying for this moment. Knowing all the while God knew the perfect time for it to happen. As Josh has said "It is official, we are paper pregnant!" That is why my face has looked like this since I talked to our AGCI case worker this afternoon.

First off I must say my cell phone laid out on my office desk all day in anticipation of "the call". Then while I was out of the office talking to a dear friend that stopped by the agency, I missed "the call". Now while it was not "the call" that leads directly to the viewing of our child, it was "the call" that signifies that we are waiting for our child. So I was really bummed when I had missed it. So bummed that I called the case worker's number about 15 times until I got an answer and not just her voicemail. I know, maybe a bit much....but I really needed to know if we were on "the list". When she told me that everything looked good on our revisions and gave me our number I let a squeal and told her about a 100 times that I was really HAPPY! I think she might have already figured it out, without me stating it.

So without further ado, I give you our first official number:

Dossier Finished!!!

I am so excited to say that tomorrow morning I will be sending off our dossier!!! This has been quite a process. We have completed many documents, have had many others complete documents for us, visited the notary a hand full of times, made trips to the doctors office, police station, and even a trip to Springfield. Yesterday when I got the call that the State of Illinois had endorsed our home study I was on cloud 9. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. So today I met our case worker in a near by town and picked it up. Our case worker has been so good to us and so very helpful. We also finished taking our pictures for our dossier and making all of the copies. It has been very busy around here. But I am so glad it is all together!! Now we have to pray that it will be reviewed on Friday and there will be no request for revisions.

This is the amount of paperwork in our dossier!

Some fun pictures taken this evening!

Didn't get any individuals of D. She was done after the family pics.

And a few pictures of the local festival (Corn Days) this past weekend. Our "hippie chicks" in the doll & pet parade

The children's home float that went through the big parade. This year's theme was Corn Pioneer! My two oldest "pioneer" children rode on the float while D rode along side via the jogging stroller!

Please continue to pray for us. I hope to be posting Friday night again with our waitlist numbers!

Video you have to take the time to watch

This is a shorter version of a video that was sent to me today on FB. I wish I could have found the full length video.

What a powerful example of life, adoption, and God's perfect plan. Please watch.

I want to make clear though a few things. Not ever adoption happens because a birth mother has the desire to get rid of her child. Many, as most of us know, happen because a mother is incapable due to illness, death, critical circumstances, severe poverty, or they simply are not prepared to take on the role. Whatever the circumstance I commend those who choose to give their child life.

Again please watch and be reminded that God's hand is in every bit of his creation, even those that some mark to be without purpose.

Your hands made me and formed me; Psalm 119:73

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13

Overwhelmed by God's People

It has been quite a week here at our household!

As you know our adult t-shirts came in at the end of last week and they are selling very well. On Monday our youth shirts were delivered and they also are going quicker then I imagined. I think it has to do with the adorable models that have been wearing them! ; ) They are the same shirt just in navy. We have sizes small-large left in the youth. They are $17 and adults are $20. ($1.50 per shirt to ship anywhere) A BIG thank you to all of you that have purchased!!

G-bug was freshly bathed and had to be the one to "model" the t-shirts!!

(she made a seriously great plead on her own behalf ..we just might have thought a little more and at least combed the hair!! LOL)

We also received a card and a donation from the great people at New Hope Church. They are rural church about 25miles away from us. It was so sweet! They stated that they were "so honored & blessed to be a small part in bringing her (Alexandria) home". It totally blessed our socks off!!! Josh got the mail the day it came and right away texted me to say "God is so good". Every time we think we have seen the best. He amazes us and calls those we would have never have suspected. We are thankful for the financial gifts but are even more honored that He has given us the privilege to share with others his passion for the orphan. Our prayer is that all those we come in contact with might also discover this passion.

We have truly been blessed by your generosity in many ways!

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Fall Festival & True Love

Yesterday was the Fall Festival at the Baptist Children's Home. During the Fall Festival the children's home campus and staff host many churches through out Illinois that come and set up booths. Everything from hamburgers, funnel cakes, lemon shake-ups, inflatable rides/games, a dunking booth, volleyball tournament, and much more. All of it is for free and it gives the community we are based in a great opportunity to come visit with us. Yesterday as in years past, turned out to be a wonderful day on the campus.

Genna with some of our friends' little girls.

I am pretty sure the girls visited each booth a couple dozen times!

Delaney took this pic with a little help. She said she wanted a shot of her BFF!! ; )

D standing around the horse area, but not getting on any of the horses. She called for the horses, but really wanted nothing to do with them.

This morning I heard it said from the pulpit, that love is not a feeling but something we choose to do. I know that we live in a world where more often then not, love is conditional. It is based on what one can do for us and/or how someone makes us feel. This kind of love is not only present in marriages today but also in families and friendships.

The only real example of love is what flows from the Father. If we are to have a true love in our lives it must come from beyond us. We have to tap into the true source to find it. Thankfully He gives the opportunity freely. We just have to be willing and open to receive it.

1 John 4:7-12 states Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

So whether it is within your marriage, with your children, your parents, your neighbor, your best friend, or a total stranger remember it is not simply a decision each day as to whether you feel in love or not, but if you choose to love. We are not only loved we are also commanded to do likewise.

Check them out!!!

They are here!!!!

Our t-shirts arrived yesterday afternoon.

They are $20 each if you are in the area or $21.50, if we are shipping them to you.

These are not only going to be a great way to help us raise some more funds, but also to get the word out about adoption.

Here is the front of the shirt:

It says~ BRING HOPE HOME

This is the back:

At the top~ FROM LAND TO LAND
REACHING HAND TO HAND

At the bottom~ IN HIS NAME NATIONS WILL PUT THEIR HOPE MATT 12:21

They are lake blue color. If you would like to order for us to ship click on the paypal link on the right hand column. In the "Purpose" field put the size (S-XL) and how many you want. If you are in the area shoot me an e-mail ( jabigg_98 at hotmail.com ) and we would be happy to meet or bring them by! We will have some kids sizes but they will not be in until next week.

My Simple Unsuspecting Prayer

If you remember in our story of how we had came to adoption. I had been the one that for many years had the desire to adopt and how it had taken Josh a while (ok 9yrs!) for God to move him to the same desire. Well tonight I was looking through one of my notebooks and I found a prayer that I had wrote only about 12 days prior to him coming to me and stating he was being led to this. It is AWESOME how God works!! The first part of the prayer was for the ministry that I work in full-time and this was the next:

I also ask that you will move Josh and I's hearts to the same place. That you will place the same desires on us both. Keep him Father at the spiritual front of our home, help him to lead us in your ministry and plans for us. Lord thank you for life and the opportunity to be in your ministry. I love you and thank you!

While I pray often about these things I haven't found that I have wrote it in such a direct manner anytime recent. How wonderful that God was raising up in me a desire that had been there for many years and that He again brought me to pray for the unity of our desires. I love how he works!! ...FYI: I know my prayer is not grammatically correct but it is what I wrote! = )

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24

I am thankful also for a husband who is a great leader in our household. Who even when things are hard stays the course and continues to lead us down the path of the Lord.

Update and Weekend fun!

Our weekend has been full to say the least!

On Friday we had a surprise party for Gracie.

Her birthday isn't until this Friday. So I will post some pics then and tell you more about the excitement!

Saturday we spent the day at home watching Notre Dames football! Josh is a HUGE ND fan and has been for most of his life. Watching the game is a little different now, then it was even 5 years ago for him.

It started out with just one and then pretty soon the whole crew was sitting on him!

There was also dancing, singing, and lots of laughs during most of the game.

Poor guy can't get a break! I think he loves it though!!

We spent this afternoon out back playing with the girls. You got to love this weather! It seems almost perfect!

They are all three at such fun ages!

On a different note...We found out on Friday that there needed to be some revisions made on our homestudy before our agency submits it to the state. Most of them are small things that we have already discussed and taken care of this weekend. One however threw us for a loop. Our guardianship plan has to be redone. We weren't aware but the people we list on the plan also have to meet Ethiopian adoption guidelines. So we are currently praying for some answers and waiting to talk to AGCI tomorrow to find out more information. Would love if you all would say a prayer for us!

Hope you all have a great week ~ Andrea

Friends, Food, & Fun

Well on Labor Day, the only laboring we did was to cook!!! We had a wonderful day cooking and spending time with the girls. Then during the evening we had friends over. They came to help us celebrate Josh's big news! Last week he returned to his prior role within the company. He had been displaced for the last year and a half due to the economy and boy was he ever so happy to be back! He had stayed with the company during that time just in a different position.

The last year and half has stretched our patience and strength as a couple and a family. The good news is it has made us stronger and has helped us to be where we are at today, ADOPTING!! It is amazing sometimes what God will bring forward out of a trying situation.

We are so blessed to have people in our life who enjoy some of the simplest things. Like an endless evening of food, talking, and kids playing!!!

Forgive me for the shabby pics. I wish I had gotten a pic of all the kiddos.

I didn't get out the camera until after dark and the SD slot is still not clean.

Each One Has Meaning

For those of you who are not on fb, here is a great song from a Veggie Tale movie that will be out in October ("It's A Meaningful Life"). Can't wait to watch it with our girlies! Love this song!!

Each child, each person is a creation of our Lord.

Not one made without a purpose or a plan.

It is amazing what the Lord can do through even one child!

After working with children for the last 11 years, I can say that I have never came across one who didn't have the desire to be loved or to feel wanted. They are all seeking it, whether they realize it or not, and they all deserve to know that there is a God that loves them and made with a purpose in mind!

The Lord told Jeremiah Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; Jeremiah 1:5

David wrote in Psalm 139: 14-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Just wanted to share the song with you all! ENJOY!!!

Have a great weekend!! ~Andrea

Intentional Living

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:7-11

These are the instructions that Peter gives to live following the example given by Christ.

Lord I pray that each day I may turn myself over to you. To live each moment with great intention, in order that it may bring GLORY to your name!

And the Winner Is.....

Thank you to those of you who entered.....

Stephanie in NC

E-mail me and I will give the info to get your shirt! jabigg_98@hotmail.com

Delaney picked the winner after dumping the bowl, shaking the bowl, then finally understanding we wanted her to take 1!!

The pics are a little fuzzy...it was 7:40am, we needed to get to school, and the SD card slot needs to be cleaned! Lots going on, hoping to post more later!

Congrats & thanks again!!

Last Chance for Give Away!!

Last chance to enter yourself into the give away!!!

Become a follower of our blog and of the family selling these great shirts at http://dockerybambino.blogspot.com/ Then comment and let us know you did! Each will get you 1 entry!!! The give away will end tomorrow at 7:30 am, so be quick!!

I hope in a few weeks to be able to display our next fundraiser!!

Also please do not forget about little Miss Dolly. This sweet baby girl's mother traveled 8hrs in order to get her to a ministry team to find prayer and healing. As a mother I can not imagine the feeling to not be able to provide for my child the help they need. PLEASE help this mama and her baby out. Anything you can offer will help. Go to http://speakingthrume.com/make-a-donation/

Thanks to all of you and I hope you had a great weekend!! ~Andrea

Urgent! Please check this out!!

Back in November of last year I had the pleasure of meeting a great gal who I had asked to come speak at our fall ladies retreat. Ginger spoke that weekend about a trip she had taken with Compassion International and how God had called each of us to help the least of these. Of course I was immediately interested in what she had to say and getting to know her more.

A few months later I ran into the TN gal at a ministry development workshop in Illinois. (i.e.. her ministry partner, Leigh is a friend of mine and my former running partner...another child later, new job, and a move changed our running schedules...but blessed to know them both!) To make a long story short Ginger had informed me about the Christian Alliance Orphan Summit this year and we got to meet and attend together (I didn't even go to hear about adoption, but for work!) I know I'm ramblin"!! Anyway Ginger went to Liberia this summer to speak and to minister and returned home with a new mission from God to help a small child that she had met there.

Here is what their ministry site says:

Speaking Thru Me Ministries will give donations made in August and September to support Darlene “Dolly” Grace.Ginger met Darlene while in Liberia in June 2010. Darlene’s mother, Cecelia, traveled 8 hours to meet the speaker team and request prayer for her daughter’s healing. Darlene was born with an omphalocele (organs on the outside of her body).
With God leading the way, surgery for Darlene has been scheduled at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, TN. Darlene’s first appointment in the states will be October 11th with a tentative surgery date of October 21st.
Speaking Thru Me Ministries will need financial support for the cost of paperwork, travel, housing, etc… for this family to make the very long trip from Liberia to Tennessee.
Please consider donating to help Darlene today!

Their website is http://speakingthrume.com/make-a-donation/

Or you can also find them on Facebook

So please help them to reach their goal and to help Dolly have her surgery.

Our 1st Give Away!!!!

Today on http://www.babeofmyheart.com/ I won a t-shirt!! I am so excited!! However, I had just ordered the same shirt last night.

So guess what?? I would love to give the one I won away, to one of you all!!!

Here is how it will work. Become a follower of our blog and become a follower of the sweet family selling the shirts. http://dockerybambino.blogspot.com/ Then leave me a comment to let me know! Each 1 is worth an entry! Or if you are already a follower of either just let me know so you can get a point!!

Sharing this adoption process with others has meant so much to us. We have found great fellowship and help from others each step of the way. This family, as many others, are selling the t-shirts to help raise the money to bring their child into their home! YEAH!!! They are also adopting from Ethiopia! Double YEAH!!! So I am thrilled to be giving away their t-shirt and helping to bring awareness to their adoption as well! PLUS these t-shirts are great I love the slogan!!

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4

Back to School

Today was our first almost full day of school!! Yesterday the girls went for about 2 hrs. and today they were dismissed an hour early. They LOVE school! Both girls are excited about the teachers they got and the friends in their classes. Every year we pray that God will give them just the right teacher for them. It is always hard because you hear so much about this teacher or that one, but I know different kids react differently. So I just take it to the big man and ask Him to oversee it all!! We believe that we are responsible for teaching our children the most important lessons of all, but are truly thankful for the ones that add to their knowledge as well.

Genna is in 1st and feels like such a big girl. Our schools are divided kindergarten and 1st in one school, 2nd and 3rd in another, 4th and 5th in yet another. So this year she is one of the "big kids"! Grace is in 5th grade and excited because this will be the first year for school sports!

I have a heavy burden every year for the teachers, staff, and kids at our schools. I feel like we as parents and community members should be in constant prayer for our schools. Teachers and school staff are put in a huge position of influence over our children each year. I know that can be a great gift and also a large load. So I am challenging myself to try and remember each day to pray for not only their safe keeping but also for the decisions each one makes and the influence it might be on another.

Hope you have a great end of the week!!!