Moving on up and a prayer for rain.

That's right we have moved on the wait list. Our July number is 37! I didn't realize I hadn't posted our number lately until this weekend. Numerous people stopped me while out and about to ask where we were on "the list".

Referrals have been going out and children having been coming home, so we are hopeful that there may still be some action on the list during E*thiopia's rainy season. The rainy season in E*thiopia causes the courts to shut down for about 2 months, which in turn means there are no children being adopted during that time. But embassy appointments still go on and families who have already passed court can bring their kiddos home. So we are optimistic that we won't be 37 for very long!!!!

We are praying not only for this raining season to provide continued movement for us on the list, but most of all for the rain to come early and in just the right amounts to provide relief to the horn of Africa. I pray that they might see a miracle and great provision would pour out. The people of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia have been greatly effect by drought. Their already limited resources are being jeopardized by the shortage 0f rain in the last two rainy seasons. This has led to a lack of water, crop, and livestock . Prices are soaring on goods and causing those who were already hurting to lose even more. It is so hard to hear. To know that our future child or any child maybe suffering at this time wanting for water and food just breaks my heart. the need over there is so great and so big that I can't even imagine. We are so blessed as a family with love, care, and our every basic need is met.

To help provide financial aid to those in dire need you can go to World Vision or check out this instructions to give through Hope Chest. Please prayerful consider how you and your family might be able to help.

~ANDREA

Overdue!

It is official, I am overdue.

We have been on the waitlist for 9 months as of today. In a normal pregnancy, I would be begging my doctor at this point to schedule an induction. I would be preparing the kids for the next few days. Today in the adoption world I sit and wait. I call out to the One who knows our child by name. I ask Him to give protection and care to our little one. I ask Him to provide for the birth family reassurance in their journey. To protect and guide their path. I pray for their knowledge and understanding of Him and his everlasting LOVE.

9 months ago today, I had just finished off a weekend of prayer. Praying that we might have numbers after making a correction in our paperwork. Praying that the paperwork would all be accepted. We were so thrilled and relieved to have a number. Now each month the numbers come and sometimes they are greatly anticipated and other months I can honestly say I have been a bit disappointed.

But God is still good and He is still leading this journey!

Over the last nine months God has shown us great things. He has opened our eyes even more to His heart. He has led us to reevaluate the way we live our life. When we started this journey last May, we simply felt the Lord calling and we LEAPED. We signed on to adopt and had no clue where we were headed. All we knew was that God was asking us to say yes.

So we are not really overdue. We are just waiting for the appointed time when we will come to know our child.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

~ANDREA

Children & Bank Accounts

Hello all!

I'm still here!

Just took an unexpected hiatus from blogging. Blogger has been a bit difficult and hasn't been allowing me to post.

Lots going on as always.

Happy to report though, that this past week we were able to get away with the girls and my parents. Thankful for moments with them away from all life's craziness. Thankful too for parents who understand and want us to have those moments as well.

2 weeks ago I spent a few days camping in upstate Indiana with several teen girls from the children's home. We canoed 15 miles, hiked about 5, enjoyed time around the campfire, and more importantly spent time getting to each other a little better. It never gets old watching these kids conquer challenges and enjoy their sweet successes. So grateful that I have been given the opportunity to be a part of a ministry that sees the importance and values each life created.

This was part of our camp village. Looks cozy, doesn't it?

Myself and a few other staff also improved our fire starting skills. Now I can say that I can build a cabin around a tepee to get the fire started and help it burn stronger. ( I am hoping at least one person reading knows what i am talking about!?!)

As I sit here and think about each of the girls that went camping and about many of the youth I have crossed paths with, I am reminded of how important the role of the church is in their young lives. Reminded of the duty we have as believers to the generations that come after us. Whether they are a part of our family or a child God has simply chosen for us to cross paths with.

From a parent's perspective I have always used the analogy of my children's lives being bank accounts. Each moment of truth in their lives is a deposit. A deposit into their character and into who they identify themselves to be. I believe there are also times of withdrawal. Times when other people or things chip away at their true identity in Christ and the character of which he has called them to have. We try to be purposeful in our speech and actions with our children. Attempting to make many deposits and few withdrawals. (key word *attempting*) Using daily activities and special moments to fill their accounts, knowing all the while that as they age more influences will be there and some will only make withdrawals. Praying for others that will continue to make deposits when they are out of our hands. Praying even more that they will have the desire to let God be the main provider for their accounts. That they will go to Him for daily and moment by moment deposits.

So what about those youth or children who don't have anyone minding their accounts. Whose adults have left them bankrupt without any truth built up. No one taking the time to make a deposit. My prayer is that our eyes are always open to the needs of those youth and children, as well as my own.

~ANDREA

Dirt & More Dirt

When your big sister loves softball, you tend to spend lots of time at the ballpark.......

in the dirt and sand!

Every moment of craziness (*by craziness, of course, I mean fun and chaos! ) our family has, just makes me realize even more that this is what each and every child deserves the opportunity to experience!

Well maybe not the crazy part, but definitely the family!!!

~ANDREA

The World in Our Bathroom!

Today I took a quick shopping trip with a friend. We hit up just a few craft stores and our family's fave Target! We live in a rural area, so Target is a treat and about an hour away. Anyway, there was something there that the girls and I have had our eye on.

I know exciting, huh?! Well we thought so!!

We found it probably three or four months back and the girls really wanted it for their bathroom. So after much thought, I took the plunge and splurged the whole $14.99 for the shower curtain.

You see since starting the adoption process our girls have become very interested in what is going on in the lives of other people in the US and in other countries. So this momma thought the shower curtain was perfect! (Who needs a new globe, when you can see the world in your bathroom!! ...heehee)

I brought it home tonight and we discussed that each time the girls go in the bathroom it can serve as a reminder for them to pray for others all over the world.
Keep in mind they are girls, they go in there a lot!

Plus look what is on the curtain........A*ddis Abbaba, E*thiopia!!!!!

Hope your weekend is blessed!

~ANDREA

Summit = New Challenges!

A few months back if you remember I posted a link to the Christian Alliance Orphan Summit. Well, Josh and I attended the conference earlier last month . WOW! The two days were great! I expected the conference to be every bit as inspiring as last year's and it was. People gathered from all over. Everyone there had at least two things in common. They love Jesus and want to know how to better care for the fatherless.

I wanted to share a few highlights of the jammed-packed two days. There were way too many to write all in one post. Hopefully, I will be able to share more later.

On the first day, we listened to Russell Moore speak. He is the author of the book Adopted for Life. I have not read the book yet. Josh has and says it is a must. After hearing Russell speak, I now have it on my ever growing reading list.

He discussed the things that are really holding us, as believers, from adopting: fear, cost, and unpredictability. He stated that we have an impoverished sense of freedom and fear of not being in control.

How true is that??? How many times do we claim how big and powerful are God is and yet we hesitate to get out of the boat when He commands us to.

We also sat in on a forum over our lunch. The topic was International Adoptions 2011: Challenges, Changes, and Difficult Questions. There were three speakers from the CCAI, NCA, and JCICS. One of the things that stuck out to me most was a comment made about doors closing on international adoptions. It was stated that International adoption is one of the only causes that when a minority of injustice occurs, it causes someone to propose for it to be shut down. They went on to say the same things happen in disaster relief, foster care, and etc. However you don't hear of anyone proposing to shut those programs down. Again..how true!

I believe the truth is there are injustices in all kinds of social services. We must fight to resolve the injustices and to improve the services, not to just wash our hands of them. The "systems" will only get better and the children get taken care of, if we are willing to go the distance. In other words if we are willingly to make sure we have jumped through every hoop necessary and have made sure we are responsible for investigating the agencies we use and help fund.

Well, I think that is enough for tonight. I am getting all charged up again just writing about it! Like I said hope to share more later. Praying what new info we have does lay dormant with us. Praying that action follows and we seek the direction of the Lord and continue to leap without hesitation.

~ANDREA

What's up?

So... what's up?

*Many have asked where we are at on the list. Unofficially we are number #43. ( the numbers really drive me crazy, so I haven't been the best at keeping everyone up to date)We are at a higher place then what we expected to be at this time. We know however God has a plan and our joy is not based on our circumstances but on how powerful and merciful our Savior is!*

Summer Break is here and man are we excited!! The girls love school but, they love the break as well.

We are already in the thick of softball season. Grace is playing on the Rippers rec team and the 14 & under all-star team. Gbug is playing softball for the first year and is on team Shock. Both girls enjoy playing ball and hanging with their friends during the summer. We have already had a few impromptu sleepovers, camped a bit, and spent a few days out in the sun! I can't wait for the rest!

D slippin' and slidin' with the help of her big sisters!

Fun with a friend!

Did I tell you we LOVE summertime?!!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

~ANDREA