Our Marriage Renewal

     At then end of summer, as we approached our 15 wedding anniversary, the hubs proposed the idea that we should renew our wedding vows.  I was so excited and felt like a newly engaged woman. What woman wouldn't want her spouse to tell her that he loved enough to say I do all over again? That very day we started discussing what the renewal would look like, and where and when we wanted it to happen. It was then that my great excitement started to dwindle. I'm the type of girl who is a total hopeless romantic. I love flowers, sappy movies, romantic dinners, and all that, but the one thing I don't love is standing before a crowd with all eyes on me. So when Josh said he wanted to invite all of our family, friends, and church, I cringed. I did not want this to turn out to be another full blown wedding.  I was thinking more along the lines of us, the kids, and maybe our parents. Don't get me wrong I love all those other important people in our lives but I don't wanna stand in front them with all their eyes on me.
      We talked and talked and talked about it some more. Now, I know and you know that one of the keys to a happy marriage is compromise and most often I am willing, but this time, I must confess, I stood my ground for a long time until the compromise fell heavy on him. ;) The guest list was under 40 including our crew.
     The process of planning the renewal and making the decorations turned out to be almost as much of a blessing as the actual event. Sitting up late at night with my girls making our bouquets and table decorations proved to be more fun than I had imagined. We laughed as I told them dating stories and cried as I told them how they were a part of our dreams and prayers even way back then. We discussed marriage and the commitment that it takes. We discussed their future spouses and our desires for them.

 

     All of this led right up to the service, that day. We had a friend/mentor of about 10 years lead the service. This was really important to us. We wanted someone who knew us well and had seen our marriage through many years. He read scripture and talked about the two of us together. He also talked directly to our children and told them that in this day and age they had something rare. They had the security of knowing that their parents were in love, committed to one another, and that they didn't have to worry about enduring a divorce as a child. The girls wept through this part, as we did too.

     We wrote our vows to one another. Josh read his first. They were wonderful and perfect, just like I had imagined them to be. Mine however, were at home lying on my desk. I admitted this, and in pure Andrea fashion burst out laughing. Thankfully, I remembered most of of what I wanted to say.

     15 years may not seem long enough to some to warrant a vow renewal. It was on our hearts though, and those years for us have been full of change and growth. We got married at the ages of 19 and newly 21. We were babies some said on that day and today I would agree. We got married at a time in our lives that wouldn't require us to simply grow old together but to also to finish growing up as husband and wife. Now with four children, we have to remind ourselves, me especially, that this family began with the two of us. Our relationship has to be kept strong because this world can be relentless and temptations of many kinds lurk around every corner. We are only able to beat those temptations and meet those demands if we are standing firm together in Christ and putting ourselves aside for the one another.

 

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do 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.

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—

Ephesians 5:21-29

 

     The most beautiful part of that day is that we stood there knowing that if these bodies held up, we would still be together to do it again in another 50 years.

      

     Our commitment is deep. It begins with our love and devotion to God. He is the rock that our marriage stands on. His word provides all the instructions we need to make this work. It's not always easy and often requires great sacrifice, but it's definitely worth it.

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

~Andrea

 

*All photos by EverAfter Photography  

Fall and Community

     I love fall. I love the changing of the leaves, the football games, the bonfires, the smell of leaves burning, the cool breezes, the nights sitting outside wrapped up in a quilt, the hoodies we wear, the socks that come back into our wardrobe, the apple picking, the pumpkin patches, the harvest of crops, and the small town festivals. I simply adore this time of year.
     This weekend was our small town's annual festival. "Corn Days" started off for us with a 5K to benefit The Guardian Center (a local advocacy center for children who have endured sexual and severe physical abuse). I walked it pushing the two littles in the jogger with Gbug and her friend beside me. Grace ran it with a friend and placed 2nd in her division. Yay! After that we enjoyed the children's parade, good "fair" food,  and some rides.  The festivities ended with the big parade.
     Then on Sunday, we went to hear one of the hub's friends preach at a church just a few blocks from our house, and then we headed out for a picnic and visit to a nearby pumpkin patch.  The weather was beautiful and the kids had a blast. Later that night we sat around the fire with our pastor's family. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and drank apple cider. Does it get any better than that?!
    
 

 

 

     In our Sunday School class, we're discussing the importance of community; how living and doing life with other believers is essential to not only our own walk but also to bringing others into the body of Christ.  The book we are going through is the Gospel in Life, Grace Changes Everything by Timothy Keller. In the book, Keller describes Christian community as three things: the people of God, the body of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit. I have longed for and prayed for this very thing. That the Lord would provide for us a great community within our small church. That we would be bound together not just on Sunday mornings or during Bible Studies but through the week and in everyday life. The more we grow together and "do life" the more others will see the gospel lived out. Keller shows us that there are many behaviors that lead to the recognition of a Christian community. He list 9 community-building practices:

1. Affirming one another's strengths, abilities, and gifts

(Romans 12:10 Honor one another / Romans 12:3-8 Confirm one another's gifts)

 

2. Affirming one another's equal importance in Christ

(Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you/ 1 Corinthians 12:25 Have equal concern for one another)

 

3. Affirming one another through visible affection

(James 1:19 Be quick to listen, slow to speak / Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another)

 

4. Sharing one another's space, goods, and time

(1peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another/ Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love)

5. Sharing one another's needs and problems

(Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burden's/ Hebrews 3:13 Encourage one another daily)

 

6. Sharing one another's beliefs, thinking, and spirituality

(Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another / 1 Corinthians 1:10 Agree with one another)

 

7. Serving one another through accountability

(James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other / Romans 15:14 Instruct one another / Ephesians 4:25 Speak truthfully)

 

8. Serving one another through forgiveness and reconciliation

(Colossians 3:13 Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another / Galatians 5:26 Do not provoke or envy one another / James 4:11 Do not slander one another)

 

9. Serving one another's interest rather than their own

(Hebrews 10:24 Spur one another on toward love and good deeds)

 

     This is quite the list. It is obtainable though, I believe. The desire to have community is for me, to share in spiritual and physical growth with others, to have accountability, fellowship, and for our children to have a network of spiritual mentors. It is not that we would have an exclusive group, but a community that readily invites others to join in. 

 

~Andrea

 

 

They Say I'm A Dreamer

I don't know why I'm ever surprised. Things simply have a way of falling into place and God's blessings seem unending. I'm a dreamer. I am a wishful thinker. I, most often, am the girl with her glass 9/10 full. I rarely dabble in the negative. I see God as an infinite source of strength and love. I stand on the side of hope. 

 

When thoughts or the visions roll through my head and my heart, I am likely to say "sure, if God's willing, it will be", even when it seems impossible. This often seems careless and sometimes it appears as though I'm simply floating the way the wind blows. But I know this is who I was created to be. I know that my thoughts and decisions are tucked carefully each day in prayer and seeking the face of my God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and who directs the wind.

 

You see, I find that many things that surprise and bless me today were asked for and sought after in the days and years past. Prayers I didn't even know how to pray, I didn't know what I was asking for or how He would answer. Those are the blessings that my life is wrapped up in today.

 

 

Dear friends keep watch today for the harvest of the prayers and obedience from yesterday.

 

"Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:3-4

^~Andrea

 

 

Hello Again!

    It has been what seems like years since I have actually posted one of my blog entries. I have wrote many but just can't seem to bring myself to posting them. If you only know us from the blog then I would like to give you a little update. Last June (2012), we accepted the referral of a precious 14 month old boy from Gambella, Ethiopia. On July 23, 2012 we passed court in Addis Ababa and he became our son. After a long three and a half months, a decline from the US Embassy, and then a review and acceptance from USCIS, we returned to Ethiopia to bring him home. He has now been home exactly 11 months today. His name is Was (sounds like Woz) and he is a joy. The last 11 months has consisted of lots of adjusting, transitioning, and refining, most of it by Josh and I. We have had moments of pure bliss and others filled with grief and heartache. I think even the "easiest" adoptions are still more than most imagine.

     Our girls have been great throughout the entire year. They welcomed their brother with open arms and their hearts bursting with love for him. I think there were days when their love came close to even smothering him. ;) He has gotten used to it though, and often approaches them for hugs and kisses now.

     Almost a year later, life is finally seeming back to normal, or at least our normal. We currently have a 9 month old boy staying with us Sunday night through Friday night. He and his mother are enrolled in the Safe Families movement. A movement that definitely has our hearts. The other day we were discussing serving God and the ways we serve. Safe Families was brought up and D (age 4) said "it's really great when God ask us to take care of babies". ;)  We also began homeschooling this year, just the younger three. It has definitely been an adventure. The kids and I are really enjoying it. We have lots of kinks to work out but I think we may always have those.

     Well that should catch you up a bit.

I hope to keep the momentum going and post a little more often.


~Andrea

 

Two Years

Two years ago this week we officially began our adoption journey. I remember making those first phone calls and exchanging initial emails with our agency. I never dreamt that two years later we would still be a family of five. It has been a very long road and we are not through. We have yet to even see our next child or children's face.  I am not sure if I were told back then that it would take this long I would have been on board. I think I would have looked at other options. Today though I am glad we said yes.

You see the Lord we serve is good and faithful. His love endures. His loves continues even while we wait. His love refines, reshapes, and changes us each day.  In the last two years He has asked us to step out on a limb over and over. He has searched our hearts and saw more work to be done. Sin that I thought was not there, was there, hidden. For myself it has been selfishness, pride, and unwillingness to release control. The way I see it now is if you deal with any of these things the best way for it to be dealt with is for God to 1.) open your eyes to the plight of the orphan,  2.) ask you to fund raise the money to adopt, and then 3.) make you wait at least 100 2 years! LOL!

Seriously....

The wait can be difficult. We continue to pray for those that He will bring into our family. I long to see the face of my child(ren), to hear their name spoken, to know their story, and to experience that first embrace. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about them. Our days are filled with laughter and many memories and I am thankful for that, but my heart aches for those that are without a family to call their own.

Three bright smiles that continue to bring the sunshine throughout the long wait.

God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. 

1 Corinthians 1:9  -The Message

What are we called to do?

The second month of 2012 has come and gone. Still no referral. We still don't know if we will be adding a boy or a girl or a set of siblings to our family. I can't even remember now if I had posted or not about our parameter changes back in October. It was time to update our homestudy after a year of waiting. We had been praying for several months about opening up to any possibility that God might have for our family. In late August we made the decision.

Our current parameters are 0-24months boy, girl, or up to two siblings.  How exciting, not knowing!

We continue to pray each day for our child(ren). We ask that you too might join with us in prayer.

I wanted to share with you something that I spend most of my time thinking and talking about these days.

In Luke Chapter 10 it is written:

 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"  He answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself."  "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. "Look after him," he said, "and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have." "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

The first part of this scripture is something I think most believers expect to hear. I think that the man of the law expected it as well. That Jesus would say that we are to love God. He goes a step farther though and says that we are to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind.  Essentially every bit of our being should be wrapped up and focused on our love of God. Point blank. There is nothing left. The only possible extra we could have is overflow of what He has added to us.

He doesn't stop there. He continues to say that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. This leaves the man of law asking more questions.
When first reading this I was brought to some of questions of my own.  If Christ says that I am to love my neighbor as myself , who is my neighbor?
As we read through the scripture Christ demonstrates that anyone who could receive an act of kindness is our neighbor. Not simply the people on our block or even those that live in the same town, but anyone and everyone that we are given an opportunity to show kindness too. Including those of different backgrounds, races, religions, or cultures.  Possibly anyone on the planet could be our neighbor. 
He also stated that we are called to love them as ourselves. So how do I love myself? What things do I do for myself that demonstrates my own self love? I guess for me it is easier to look at the things I wouldn't allow because I do care for myself. I know I don't allow myself to go hungry, I don't allow myself to live on the street, I wouldn't sit idly by if my children were in need, I wouldn't allow myself to knowingly walk into a dangerous situation, I wouldn't want for myself to be hurt by the words of another, and I wouldn't want to live life alone. These are just a few. So if I believe what Jesus is teaching here is truth, why do I or do we as believers obey part of what he has commanded and why do many of us continue to forget the second half?

I often say and proclaim that all that I have been given or blessed with is God's but more often than not that is not how I live. I strive but fall short. He has blessed me and my family with much and it should all be for the taking and using for his kingdom. My neighbors should not be in need if I am in excess.

A quick pic at the end of our date night on Sunday in STL. The next day we had an appointment to get our fingerprints redone.

~ANDREA

Christmas thoughts

Today is Christmas in E*thiopia.

While in E*thiopia there is some celebrating going on, in our home there are many thoughts and prayers drifting about. Today we consider the Christmas we experienced just a few weeks ago. We think back to the day of celebration, gifts, and food. Are those we love in ET celebrating the same way today? It is truly unlikely.  You see the ones that we have grown to love over the last year or so are probably experiencing the day much differently. 

Firenesh, the young girl we sponsor in ET, comes from a family who has been in great need for several years. Her family has not been able to maintain a steady amount of food,  receive medical treatment, or provide a substantial  education for their children. She is 9 years old and from her letters you can tell she is just like our girls in many ways. She has a child's heart and truly just wants to be a kid.

The others that we have come to love, we hardly know at all. They are the faces we see over and over again on the waiting child list of various agencies.  We also, of course, have grown to love the child or children that will some day be ours. We have yet to even see their sweet faces but they hold a special place in our hearts and our prayers.

Today is a day of celebrating the birth of Christ in a country whose people have endured much affliction. A day for us to reflect and remember the hope that was born on that very day for all the people of the world including those we love in E*thiopia. 

We are called and commanded to share that hope and come to the aid of those that are suffering and afflicted.

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

 Blessings my friends and Melkam Gena!

(Amharic for Merry Christmas)

~Andrea

Tutu much fun!

With the holiday season kicking off this week we have been busy preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas fun.  The girls have been rehearsing for a performance at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the community children's concert. They are both really excited. At the lighting they will be all decked out as who's from Dr Seuss's Whoville. I have been busy making costumes and figuring out how to get who hair to stand up!  So much fun!!! (I will DEFINITELY share pics later!!) I made a Christmas tutu for Genna to wear as part of her costume. Very Cindy Lou Who I think!! Grace requested some crazy, funky Christmas pants. Holly leaves, the words Holly & Jolly, and bright Christmas colors adorn her new pants! I am sure all  the Who's will be a sight to see!

Something else exciting happened in the process of making costumes. I shared the tutu photo on fb and had another adoptive mom suggested that I sell them as a fundraiser. (Why didn't I think of that?!!) I already have a couple of orders and can't wait to get more!! So if you would like to order one for your Christmas sweetie you can order through my Paypal link on the right. They are $22.50 with shipping or $20 if local. All profit goes towards our adoption.  ***In the purpose area on Paypal please write your child's waist size, height, and the word tutu. Thanks so much! I can't wait to make some more!!!

~ANDREA

Blessed

Let me just start by saying that there are moments and days in my life were I feel there is no possible way I could ever be more blessed. It is true.  I am a daughter of the most high and He has been so generous to me.

This month I am taking stock. Each day sharing something or someone I am thankful for.

 Days 1-14

Day 1: Today I am thankful for warm blankets on cool nights.

Day 2: I am thankful for insurance and readily available doctors.

Day 3: I am thankful for clean water that is accessible right here in my home.

Day 4: I am thankful for transportation. Gas is high but we have always been able to keep it in our tanks and for that I am thankful.

Day 5: I am thankful for my kitchen, the gathering place of our house. I am thankful that many of our family and friends visit it often. That the table that I celebrated every one of my childhood birthdays at and ate most of my meals at, is the same one I eat at with my family each night.

Day 6: I am thankful for morning time with my girls. They sit on my bed or run around the room while I get ready. "Girl talk" is what they think we do, memories is what I know we're making.

Day 7: I am thankful for the guy I started dating at the age of 16 and married at 19. The one who I have shared more than half my life with. Josh can make me smile like no one else. He is truly my best friend.


Day 8: I am thankful for the ministry that I work at and the team that I work with. To be able to go to work each day and to share the message of hope and love with families is a HUGE blessing. There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it. Standing each day with people who love Jesus and love kids!

Day 9: Thankful for great teachers, administrators, and schools that my children love.

Day 10: Thankful for to live in a neighborhood were neighbors lookout for one another and always lend a hand.

Day 11: I am so very thankful for my children. Each one unique and different from the others. God has given me many gifts that have forever changed me and they are a few of them. I appreciate life and all that it holds a little more each day because of them. Grace hates injustice and would give until she has none. Genna loves everyone she meets and is bursting with joy. Delaney has a sweet spirit about her and prays everyday for "da whole fide fworld".

Day 12: Thankful for family. Josh and I were both raised in Christian homes. We were raised to love God and love others for that we are truly thankful. My parents displayed a love that was never based on conditions. I have aunt and sister that our priceless to meand extended family that I am thankful for as well. I am thankful also to be a part of Josh's family.

Day 13: I am thankful for friends. Friends old and friends new. Friends who walk beside you regardless of where life's path takes you. I am so blessed to have always had great friends!!

Day 14: I am so very thankful for each person God has placed in our path on this adoption journey. Our AGCI peeps have been a huge blessing to us. There have also been others who have educated and inspired us through out this journey. We are thankful for each one!!!

Here are just a few of them!

Each day we must make the decision whether to focus on the what we think our lives are lacking or to look around and embrace the blessings that are already there!

~ANDREA

Full Sprint Ahead!

We are hitting the fundraising road once again. This time we are taking off with a sprint. With the possibilty of a sibling referral now awaiting us, the fees with be more than we had planned for.

Sooo...

We are hoping to provide a few services and some great gifts that can be bought just in time for Christmas in order to raise the money we need to be able to say YES to whatever the Lord chooses for us.

****We have opened up our own "coffee shop" thanks to

Just Love Coffee.



http://www.justlovecoffee.com/Biggerstaffs



When you purchase from our store we receive a portion towards the cost of our adoption.

Lots of great fair trade organic coffee just in time for Christmas!

What a great way to double your giving this Christmas!

Buy a bag coffee as a gift= giving to our adoption and to the receiver of the coffee!

****We are lending a hand to all those Black Friday shoppers.

That's right on Nov 25th we are opening our house up from 7am - 1pm for the locals to leave their children and do their Christmas shopping kid free!

Don't worry we can handle the extra kids, we have lots of great helpers in our house!

And...

**** We also have our adoption tees available. You can clink on the link above to find out more information.

Have a GREAT rest of the week! ~ANDREA

Exciting News!!

After much prayer....We are excited to announce that we have extended our parameters!!

We will now be waiting for a referral of a boy, girl, or set of siblings (2) up to the age of 24 months!

We would have liked to increase the age even more but our agency requires us to continue our current birth order.  So that means the child or children we adopt must be at least 10 months younger then our youngest. This isn't an E*thiopia requirement, just one a few agencies have.

We are also open to a child or children with special needs. Which could mean lots of different needs. It is really hard to explain exactly what that may be. We are just continuing to pray for whatever child(ren) the Lord has for us.

I look at the picture above of our sweet stair steps (really...they are 3', 4', and 5'!!) and I am overwhelmed with joy just thinking of what this picture will look like in the future. We have been so blessed in our role as parents. The ups and downs, highs and lows, it has all been worth it.

This year our hearts have already been pulled and stretched in a thousand ways just dealing with the new phases these three have entered. Each success and struggle have brought great growth to our children, to us as parents, and to the family as a whole. I can't even imagine what the journey ahead is going to look like or what it has in store.

A bit of scripture that I think every parent needs tucked away in their heart.

I need to be reminded of it now and I am sure I will in the years to come.

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   Lamentations 3:22-23

Scripture Saturday

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Colossians 3:23-24

Saturday Scripture

I have decided to try something new on the blog. Every Saturday, instead of a post about us or anything else, I am going to try to simply share a piece of scripture.

 One of the greatest gifts in this life for me has been God's word.

In our house, one of the first things we strive to teach the girls is the value of the Bible. Miss D is now in the process of learning that the Bible is God's word and the truth!  Here is this week's:

New Harmony, IN

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.      

Matthew 7:13-14

I hope your day is blessed!  ~Andrea

Giveaway Winner!

is the winner of our GIVEAWAY!!! 

Kristen please email me at jabigg_98 at hotmail.com with your address and sizes.

Thanks to all of you for your comments, emails, and fb messages.  

We have been so blessed by those who have walked this journey with us!

A Timeline of our Journey

 

I sat this morning and reviewed our time line and  prayed. I was blessed to see God's hand each step of the way. We are continuing to be grateful for the opportunity to experience adoption and to add to our family in this way.

May 2010 - We feel that God is moving us to adopt at this time

                       Watch the Webinar for AGCI

                       Submit our pre-application to AGCI

June 16 -     Approved for AGCI Ethiopia Program

June 21-     Sent Fingerprints in for FBI Record

June 22 -    First Homestudy Visit with LSSI

June 23 -     Orientation Call

July 2 -        Second Homestudy Visit/Training

July 9 -        Third Homestudy Visit/Training

July 14 -      Fourth Homestudy Visit/Training

July 28 -      Sent in Our Contracts

Aug 04 -      Dossier Call

Aug 12 -     Last Homestudy Visit/Training/Walk-Through

Aug 18 -      Received our Online Adoption Learning Classes Certificates

Aug 30 -     Received notification that there was more info needed for FBI Record

Sept 2 -       Received notice of completion of our Eyes Wide Open Workbook

Oct 12-       Received call that our homestudy had been endorsed by the State of Illinois
Oct 13-      Picked up our homestudy and reviewed Dossier
Oct 14-     Overnighted Dossier to AGCI
Oct 15-     Received call from AGCI that we had a revision to make to our application letter.
Oct 16-     Completed revision and resubmitted application letter. It was again overnighted to AGCI
Oct 18-     Received phone call from AGCI, our Dossier is completed and we are official number 89 on the girls list. Our parameters are girl 0-14 months
Nov-         Number 80 on the wait list.
Dec-         Number 74 on the list.
Dec 23-   Fingerprint appointment at United States Citizen and Immigration Services in STL.
Jan 2011-        Our first number of 2011 was number 68.
Feb-         Number 66 on the list. 
March-    Number 55....moving along!
April-       6 months waiting and we are number 49. 
May-        Number 44
June-        No movement still 44 ...we are still believing!
July-        Number 37 on the list.
August-  Down 3 to number 34.
Aug 31st- Home study visit for 1 yr update & approval to change parameters.  
Sept-       Number 28 on the wait list.

****TODAY   Oct 18th - 1 Year Waiting****

 Unofficially Number 26

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

Some Pics and a Reminder

Big girl carrying her pumpkin!

Daddy helping her find one.

Our girls riding to the patch

 

 Just wanted to share a few pictures of our trip to the pumpkin patch 

and to remind you all to enter our GIVEAWAY!!

The deadline is tonight!!

1 year Giveaway!!!

On October 18th, we will have been on the waitlist for 1year.

So to celebrate the end of a full year of waiting we are having ice cream and ...doing a giveaway!!!   We will giveaway 2 of our adoption t-shirts and a copy of the Russell Moore book Adopted for Life.

There are two ways to enter:

1. Post a comment here

&

2. Fb about the giveaway (let me know you have in your comment here)

The deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 18th at 8pm (CT)

 Winner will be posted soon after!

Thank you for being a part of our wait!!

A Reminder

This was written in June but never posted.

Last night I got into bed tossing and turning. I found myself very restless with thoughts of our adoption and another situation heavy on my mind. In both I have felt tired and a bit unsettled waiting on the Lord. Not giving up hope but pleading with the Lord for reassurance. The Lord called me from my bed and to open my Bible.
Habakkuk 2:1 I felt pressed upon my mind. Habakkuk.... I groaned, really? What is going to be there. I had read through there long ago, through planned reading. It wasn't anything life changing, so I thought, really. ???   I opened it and read I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. I read on a little more. You see Habakkuk has been crying out to the Lord asking when He will come and rescue them. There has been great violence among their people and they are under the attack. He tells the Lord he will sit in the watchtower and wait upon the Lord to receive the word of the Lord. In verse 2&3, the Lord tells him to write down the vision he has been given. And though it is not for this appointed time, it will come and be the truth. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

So I will wait. I will continue to journal and to pray. I know the vision the Lord has laid upon our heart is still His vision and will come at his appointed time. I already knew His time was perfect, but having the Lord call me to His word and point me to this is a great ENCOURAGEMENT!


The Lord never ceases to amaze me. In my time of wavering: He is still sufficient, He still cares, and His plan is the truth. So thankful that He chooses to call me His child and to lead me. I hope this speaks to you all like it did me.

Tonight in our adoption fb group another waiting momma posted the verse and it reminded me of this moment so I reread myself and wanted to share. God is soooo good!

Feeling like a fool for not trusting

 

Waiting can be hard. The days can seem unending.  At times it seems as though we will be waiting forever. God placed a desire in my heart to adopt many, many years ago. I thought when we finally moved forward and started the process that the weight of that calling would be lifted. I was so wrong. It has only gotten heavier as I spend time learning more about God's heart for the orphan, viewing the pictures of children in need of families, and listening to countless stories of great need throughout the world.  

Earlier this spring, I felt a strong call to go and do work in another country this summer. I began praying for the details and then I dismissed the calling, hanging on to the thought that this July would bring a referral. That we would need the time and money to travel to our child instead of using it to travel for missions. I continued to lay out my reasons to God. What if? A referral comes and we have no time, what if it comes and we don't have enough money? What if my other children have to be left for several weeks this year?  I doubted. I tried to reason my time line with God, you know the one in control of my time line. Now sitting here in October I am feeling the fool. He didn't need for me to have enough time, money, or even well laid out plans for my children. He just needed me to say yes. 

That's where I am at right now in this wait: repenting and asking for forgiveness for questioning His sovereign plan and timing, clinging to Him as we continue to walk this journey, asking Him to continue to use us for His glory, and thanking Him for providing grace and mercy.

I took the above picture yesterday.

These 3 could not be anymore eager then they are right now to meet their new sibling. They are already in great anticipation of the arrival. They have grown so much in the past year. Their sweet little eyes have been opened. They are eager to follow where God leads. 

Their faith is strong and they are willingly.  

Oh, to TRULY have faith like a child. This is were I want to be and remain. 

Today I am reminded of the faith of generations past.

 Hebrews 11

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.