Happy Anniversary #16

To my sweet hubby,

Thank you for loving me wholeheartedly and completely unconditionally! I can't wait to see what happens the next 16 years. May God be glorified! I love you more than you know.

Our Newest Addition (It's not what you think)

Before you think we are totally crazy, please let me explain........I'll be the first to say that I did not want a puppy. Been there, done that, etc. The girls have been begging and pleading for a puppy for about 2 1/2 years now. Of course, we have been putting them off with the whole "Do you think you are really ready to care for a dog because it's going to be all your responsibility" talk. (BTW the girls have been caring for a neighbors cat while they are out of town. They go down at least 4 times a day to feed, change the water, clean up, play with, check on, and say good night to that cat. I guess we can't use the responsibility talk any longer.) And "We need to wait until Rosie is at least 2 before we even think about it" excuse. ( This excuse will expire in September) Furthermore, Kenzie has already reserved a special name for the dog she thinks she will "never have." You get the picture.

So, Scott and I have been secretly processing the thought of a dog. We knew we probably wanted to do it before next summer, when we hope to have our "little man" home. We began lightly looking- I mean lightly! We loved the thought of going to the shelter; however, not knowing a dog's background made us nervous with a toddler. I happened to google "puppies in nwa" and one particularly caught my eye. A lady had found this puppy abandoned on the dirt road of her rental home. After a few days, she realized that she would give one attempt of listing her on Craig's List before reluctantly taking her to the shelter. The rest is history.... Let me be the first to introduce you to sweet, Hazel. Oh boy, here we go.

American Dream?

"Radical" by David Platt is a "MUST READ!" It's inspiring and convicting, empowering and challenging. He questions the American Dream....."Why do we feel the need to achieve it? How is it biblical? Can you walk away from it?" I feel that I hold "things" loosely. (Probably because the "material things" that I have are worth little of value.) I love to give and help others in whatever way I can. However, I have been convicted deeply about my motives, my desires, and my fears. It all revolves around "my." For years, I have been so concerned with what makes me feel safe or comfortable. Ouch, not pretty! Today, I spent sometime in serious confession that I haven't been more of a risk taker for my King. I am so thankful for forgiveness and that His mercies are new each day. He is so worth the risk! "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you or forsake you. '" So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13: 5-6

TWO MONTHS DOWN

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since I have posted. The end of the school year was quite "full" with all of the programs, performances, activities, etc. I am so glad it is finally summer and to have all my little peeps around. Our hope is to have our little man home by next summer. What a great summer that will be! It has been two months since we have been on the waitlist. Not much has changed. We are updating our child profile sheet per Gladney's request. (This sheet helps in placement of each child. It causes families to be more specific regarding circumstances that we would be willing to consider.) Other than that, we are just waiting. My heart has been specifically heavy this month for our son's birth mother. God knows her situation and the depth of her pain. I can't even imagine what she is going through. My heart hurts for her. I pray that she will come to know our King through this process. I pray that she will know Him as Healer, Redeemer, and Friend and that she will find peace in Him alone. May God be glorified!

One Month and Counting!

I can't believe we have officially been "waiting" for over 1 month now. Eventhough it's only been a short time, it I actually feels good to be beyond the paperchase and waiting with a purpose. With Scott being in Haiti this week, his heart is breaking and longing for our son. He has met many who have lost so much. He has seen the faces that have no family. He was inspired by a man who was an orphan himself and has returned to Haiti with a purpose in mind-THE ORPHAN. What a beautiful purpose! We press on.. we wait...we pray..and we dream.

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Happy 39th birthday to my sweet hubby! Scott, you continue to amaze me with your passion to live your life for the Lord. I have never seen someone who genuinely cares about so many people. You make everyone feel like a million bucks! I love you that you dream big and live large. I love that you bring the fun to our family; without you life would be so boring! Words cannot express the amazing Daddy you are. The girls (and brother-to-be ) are so lucky to have you. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Mostly, thank you for loving me. I love you, prec. Happy B-Day!

The Summit

This past week I had the privelege of attending Orphan Summit VI. Corrie Rusch, Steph Maass, Jen Arkins, Joy Primm and myself traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a weekend that will always be remembered! I am so thankful to have had these ladies to process all that I heard. I have never laughed, cried, and talked so much in my life. I loved every minute of it! I went into this conference not really knowing what to expect. I left feeling so many emotions. I was truly saddened with the "yuck" that is going on in the world near and far. I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of the need. My heart was wrecked after hearing story after story of sorrow and celebration. I was humbled that God has blessed me with so much that I don't deserve. There were things that I heard that will change my view of life, the way I parent, and especially my heart attitude. However, I was impacted to the core by these three statements given by people who understand trials...... "Even though you take an orphan and give them a home, food, and a family- the "orphan spirit" will still remain. That spirit can be healed by God alone!" (Quoted by Stephanie Fast a Korean orphan that survived the streets for 9 years before she was adopted. ) "Why do we feel like we need to live the perfect life now? We have it coming in ETERNITY. For now, we are meant for war! Having FAITH is not the ultimate factor in whether you suffer or prosper- God is the ultimate factor." (Quoted by John Piper) "You give and take away but blessed be your Name." (Quoted and sung genuinely by Steven Curtis Chapman) Amazing people with extraordinary faith!