National adoption month

Four years ago God spoke to me and slowly started changing my heart, giving me His heart for the orphan. I was slow in accepting the call as I needed so much validation from Him that it was right for our family. This was something so foreign to me and we already had 4 children, the youngest not even one year old. After 4 months of God confirming this was His doing, we stepped out in faith and began the adoption journey.

I'd never say it was or is easy. Nor would I say that everything went and will go according to our plans. We have no guarantee of our future or an easy road ahead. Every day is a choice to love and give for the glory of God. One thing I would say, I don't regret it! Romans 8:28 is a very well known passage. It says that God will work all things for good to those who love Him. I have come to love the next verse more. Romans 8:29 says that who God knew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. God is working out all things in my life so that I may be conformed to the image of His Son, that is the good in verse 28. That excites me. I want to be more like Jesus.

And so as I reflect on this first day of November, I am thankful. Thankful that God has pursued me, adopted me, and is conforming me to the image of His Son. And I'm thankful that everyday I have a little reminder with big brown eyes that God is real and that my purpose is to love and serve Him.

Praying hard this month that many people will choose adoption!!

The Gospel and September 11th

9/11. It's been a few weeks now but still the thoughts of that day and this video stay with me. So many people question God's goodness and his very existence b/c evil is present in this world and question his power to prevent that evil. Please take about 50 mins. and watch this if you haven't! It's so relevant and points to the glorious cross of Chirst!

Waitlisted!!!

As of today, we are a waiting family! We are number 75 which right now is looking like an 18 month wait time. Thankful to be done on my end. Now, we wait patiently on the Lord to reveal our little girl to us in His time.

Almost there

Today we recieved our fingerprinting appointment with United States Immigration. This is a big deal but an even bigger deal is the approval letter than comes after our prints are cleared by the FBI. We have to have this one letter to get on the waitlist for our adoption. We started the process in March and I have everything I can do, done. After our fingerprints are cleared and we get that letter, we are officially waiting. Our agency, WACAP, is saying 18-24 months on the waitlist for a little girl under 3. So, I say we're almost there but really we're just beginning. :)

For such a time as this

Have you heard about the drought in Africa right now? They say it's the worst drought in 60 years, more than 4 million people in Ethiopia will be affected by this. A country that has so captured our hearts. A country that we love and the birth place of our daughter.
Following is an email from World Vision, an organization that has worked in Africa for many years. They are asking for help. The words that keep going through my mind right now were spoken by Keith Green....."This generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls" What are we going to do about this? We live on the other side of the world and it's easy to just turn off the tv or just not read the news about this. But, please don't turn away. We live in such plenty. Maybe we have enough so that we can help in such a time as this. God, please continue to break our hearts for what breaks yours.

More than 10 million people in the Horn of Africa are in desperate need of life-saving assistance in what has been described as "the most severe food security emergency in the world today" (FEWSNET).

The worst drought in 60 years has devastated Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia with failed crops, dead livestock, and skyrocketing food prices. Your help is needed today.

Kenya: The north and northeastern regions are on the brink of famine.
Ethiopia: Prolonged drought has left 4.3 million people at risk.
Somalia: 1 in 3 children is malnourished. Thousands are fleeing to refugee camps in search of food.

World Vision is responding to the dire needs in the Horn of Africa. We are working to save lives through emergency feeding programs for children, food distributions for vulnerable families, delivery of clean water, support for agricultural projects, protecting livestock, and more.

Yet, as Nicholas Wasunna, World Vision's emergency advisor in Kenya warns, "We have not seen the worst yet."

Please give today to bring emergency food, clean water, and other essential care to children and their families in the Horn of Africa.
Please help save lives in the Horn of Africa with food, clean water, and other essential care.

Because World Vision has worked in the region for decades, we have been awarded government grants that can multiply the impact of your gift 5 times.

Join with us in praying for children and families in the Horn of Africa. And send a gift that multiplies 5 times in impact to feed and care for them today.

Thank you for your generosity.

In Him,


Rich Stearns
President, World Vision U.S.

Just some pics

Happy Independance weekend. Thankful for freedom and for those who give their lives for it!

Pure Worship

Do you ever have a time when you know the Holy Spirit is with you and He is so real you can almost reach out to touch him? Tonight while we were driving we had one on those “anointed” moments.

“Breathe” by Michael W. Smith came on the radio. Janell and I heard Jada humming the melody of the song as it played. At first I thought I was imagining. She’s never done that before. Then I look thru my mirror and saw her lifting her hands to heaven. I did a double take. Looking closer, it was clear she was closing her eyes, “singing” thru her hum, and lifting her hands to praise God. Janell turned around and saw the same. I looked at Janell with my mouth open, and then I saw big tears in Janell’s eyes. She knew what I knew… Jada has been touched by the Spirit of God and innocently was reaching out in worship to him. The Holy Spirit touched our family so clearly at that moment.

Can you believe it? Here’s a 2 ½ year old toddler who can hardly talk and she is innocently worshiping our father. WOW! What can we say about that? Really nothing, except thanks to God for selecting us to be his children. We often pray that Jada will make a difference in the world for God’s Kingdom. It seems pretty clear after tonight that he is doing just that.

As the song says:

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I I'm desperate for you
And I I'm I'm lost without you
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
your very word spoken to me
And I'm, I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you
And I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you.
I'm desperate for you.
(Cry out to live)
I'm desperate for you..
I'm lost, I'm lost, I'm lost without you..
I'm lost without you
I'm desperate for you

Bart

Life's always a little crazy around here

Can you tell? :)

No really, things are good, but five kids just keeps life (and me!) moving right along. A quick update.
Spring break. It was great to get away with the boys and we're so thankful Grandma and Grandpa could keep Jada.

We think Spring is here. It sure is slow coming. One warm day, caught my boys all ready for a bike ride.

And since I got my boys, I had to post one of Jada and I. Love my girl!

Adoption is moving along at about the same speed as Spring. Too slow. Still waiting on the FBI clearances to come back so we can finish the Homestudy. Once the Homestudy is done, we have probably 2 more months before we can get put on the waitlist. Currently the wait time with our agency is 10-12 months for a referral. Even though I say things are moving slow, I am doing much better with the wait this time around. I feel very peaceful that God will bring this about in His timing.

And lastly, a while back I posted about the book Radical. I had someone ask me what it really looks like (to live radically). Well, it's going to look different for everyone because God calls us all to different things. But, without going into too much detail, I've leaned it means letting go and surrendering all. For us, right now, that means the death of a dream. If I really do want God to get all the glory, then letting go is the only thing that makes sense. Even though this thing I wanted wasn't bad, it just wasn't good for us right now. God is still teaching me and the more I experience Him, the more I love Him! Happy Spring.

The winner is.....

RACHEL!!!! Congrats Rach. I don't have to worry about shipping your shirt. We'll go out again so you can babysit and pick it up. :) Thanks to all who commented. I was excited everyday to see who would comment. Some of you I don't know, but would love to get to know if you have a blog or way to connect. Leave me a comment or your blog address. And an adoption update. Our application has been accepted with WACAP adoption agency and today we had our first Homestudy visit. Seems like things should go quicker the second time around, but they won't. Some things have changed which will require more time and ya just gotta love the government....... :) Honestly though, I'm good with that. Life is very full right now and although we're praying for our little girl and can't wait to see her face, I know that it will happen in God's time.

You're gonna want this

Decided to join the blog world and do a fun giveaway. I ordered a couple of these 147 shirts for myself and loved them so much I wanted to give one away. They are a great fit with a great message.

Here is the shirt I have to give away. It's a size small. Super cute and soooo soft. Really, if I could, I'd have a whole closet full of these shirts. But then again, I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. :)

Back of the shirt. Each shirt you purchase helps feed one child in Africa.

Close up of the words inside the 147. Love this message. So, all you have to do is leave me a comment. I will put all the names in a jar and pick one winner next week. I'm happy to ship it anywhere.

Her feminine side

So, with four older brothers, we get asked quite often how Jada gets along. On many occasions (ie, she burps out loud at supper and starts laughing) Bart and I also comment and question what she would be like in a house full of girls. She can be so loud, ornery, busy, and tomboyish (don't know what other word to use), that I just shake my head. But, let me tell you, this little girl has a feminine side that I love.

This is how I like to dress her.

This is some of her doing.... the boys sunglasses and hat, her bow around her neck, and of course the gloves we didn't put away

She loves putting her coat on, although it's usually upside down and backwards. A necklace and some of her brothers shoes.

This was actually Daddy's doing. Jada was eating breakfast and Quinn was getting his sunglasses out for spirit day at school. Jada wanted them! So, Daddy went out in the truck and brought hers in. Can you say wrapped around his little finger?! :)

Snow boats and pjs.

Daddy's coat and hat.

Her brother's pjs.

And one last pic just to show we do have some dress up clothes. Although these don't seem to be quite as fun as the real thing.

How could we not....

......want another little Jada in our lives???

Yes, we have started the adoption process again! We are adopting from Ethiopia and are requesting a toddler girl (2-3yrs). We feel very at peace that this is the right time to proceed; however, we also are fully aware that things in Ethiopia could change at any moment. If things stay the same as they are it will probably take about 1 1/2 years to complete. Thanks for praying for us as we proceed and for our little girl!

Please pray for Ethiopia-updated!

If you're a part of the adoption community, then you've probably heard about Ethiopia in the last week. A statement from MOWA (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs) said that Ethiopia will cut foreign adoptions by 90%. MOWA has been approving approximately 50 adoption cases a day. Starting March 10, tomorrow!, they will process 5. This is due largely in part to fraud in the adotpion process.

When I read this my heart sank. This country is so close to my heart because of Jada, because I've been there, because friends and family are still in process with adoption there, and because we've always thought we'd adopt from there again. Harvesting children is a terrible thing and needs to be dealt with. Reform in the process is a good thing. But, neglecting some of the legitamate 5 million orphans in ET, is not a good thing. There is so much need! I've said before that Satan takes what God intends for good and twists it to evil. But, I think GOD takes what Satan intends for evil and uses it for HIS good. He's the one in control. He wants the glory. He continually takes us through circumstances to conform us to His image. It's all about HIM.

So, will you join in prayer with me for the country of Ethiopia? Today many people will be fasting and praying for ET.

******What else can you do? Please go here to read more and sign an online petition that will go to Ethiopia's Prime Minister!**********

Spring is in the air!

A new year and Radical

Happy 2011 bloggy friends. With each new year, I'm amazed at how fast time goes. This year I will celebrate my 14th wedding anniversary, will turn 35, and my oldest child will turn 11!! I've never thought 40 sounded so young! :)

When I was younger I would hear others say that they just couldn't wait for Jesus to return. They wish He would come right now. I remember not quite understanding that because I wanted to get married some day and I wanted to have kids and I wanted..... lots of things. With age comes wisdom, they say, and as I'm watching the years fly by, I'm praying Jesus comes quickly. Life can be so uncertain and hard. And if the right person reads this blog they would laugh at my words and say I don't know what hard is. They are right. I don't have to wonder where my next meal will come from, or where I'll sleep tonight, or if I'll be safe walking down the street. I've always had a family that loved and protected me, not harmed me. I've always had friends who I could trust. I've been given so much. And therein lies the problem. I'm safe and comfortable and comfot can lead to complacency. When our physical needs are met, our spiritual needs can be so easily masked.

American christians are comfortable. Most of us have never experienced any kind of persecution. And yet, Jesus said that if we are His disciples we would suffer. Where's our suffering? Jesus said that anyone who doesn't give up everything he has cannot be His disciple. What are we giving up? Jesus said to be His follower we must take up our cross and follow him. The cross in his day was ultimate humiliation and the cruelest of deaths. Are we willing to be humiliated and murdered for Him? Jesus said that anyone who doesn't hate his father and mother cannot be his disciple. Are we willing to forsake everyone else for Him? He didn't mince words so why do we? We make Jesus fit right into our perfect little lives instead of dying to ourselves and being transformed to His image.

A while back I said I'd do a blog post about a great book I read. A lot of these thoughts came from this book. The book is Radical (taking back your faith from the American Dream) by David Platt. Great book. He's become one of my favorite Bible teachers. I told Bart that when I listen to David preach, I'm drawn to Jesus not David Platt. And I think that is really cool.

I've been challenged big time by this. What about you?