"Art for Africa" and "Bows for Brother"

Do you ever have those moments in life where your children amaze you? We are all proud of our kids, and we think they are the best at what ever they are doing...school, sports, or the arts...but this time my girls have gotten perspective. They have learned a lesson, that I wasn't even thinking about when I was the between the ages of 9 and 12...their perspective of giving and sharing has gone to a whole new level.This past spring our oldest daughter MacKenzie along with her friend Sophie took art lessons. Well, one Friday night our family was having our traditional cook-out and MacKenzie announced she wanted to give art lessons to younger children in the neighborhood to raise awareness and money to help bring her brother home from Africa. Floored at the vision and heart of my 12 year old, we began talking about what it could look like and when we could have the art lessons. This past week MacKenzie and Sophie began the art lessons. It has been amazing to see the community and awareness that has been built around the life of our little guy.

Once MacKenzie birthed the thought of her art lessons, Mary Ellen decided she wanted to do something, as well. She has recently learned how to make hair bows and thought that making and selling bows would be a great way to contribute. Well, needless to say every little girl in our neighborhood is wearing a "Bow for Brother." Thanks to facebook...she has gotten some "big orders." More importantly than the money, is the fact that these two sisters are getting the opportunity to tell the story of their brother, who lives in Africa and how we are doing our best to bring him home.

It is amazing how this little guy, in one of the poorest countries in the world, is impacting our life and the people around us.

Scott

3 Months Down!

We are counting the months until our son comes home. Three months down on the "waitlist." It feels so good to be waiting with a purpose. Tonight Scott and I watched a video of one of the government orphanages in Ethiopia. Wow, words cannot express the emotions that ran through me. My heart ached for those children. Every face represents a story, a situation, a heartache. Suddenly, I was reminded that our son could be in that orphanage right now. Our hearts are drawn to prayer for those who care for him each day. It also reminds us of the responsibility we have to love and pray for our children under our roof now. We long for the day our family will be united. We pray for God's grace to help us persevere, until our feet hit the soils of Africa and meet our son.

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.