Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27
I've had maybe five and half hours of sleep in my own bed. But I was compelled to get up and go see all the faces in all the beds in the house. Because all OUR KIDS are where they belong.
As I opened each bedroom door to tiptoe in and gaze at each precious face I was also compelled to find that verse, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You..." and read that passage. Which I found amusing because in all our exhaustion from our travels, we did feel joy at reuniting with our home folks (and beds) but we didn't exactly feel peace or "stayed on You." We felt pretty irritated.
I made coffee, fed the critters, and settled into my comfy chair (wow is american furniture comfortable!) and found the verse (I had to look it up) (emphasis added):
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trust in You.
Then I got to Isaiah 26:12 and it jumped off the page and hit me in the heart.
O Lord, You will ordain peace for us,
for You have indeed done for us all our works.
If you've followed along you may remember that a verse that keeps coming back to me (for years) is 1 Thessalonians 5:24 - but lets back up to verse 23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.
Look what God has done - now to have a day (or weekend) of peace and rest!
And what confirmation of how trustworthy and faithful He is! Even in the hard and crazy.
And the story isn't over...
I'll work soon on updating this little blog on all the happenings that brought us home - and there will be pictures! Stay tuned.
As I was contemplating this post I was reminded of two things: 1) I can find no evidence of our Father speaking to people in cow (although He did "open the mouth of the donkey" - Numbers 22:28 - I wonder who was more surprised, Balaam, or that pitiful donkey. Bless her heart.)
2) A fun song. "The Worship Song Song," which pokes fun at modern "church music." One lyric is "here's another out of context verse about hope!" It makes me laugh. And number 3 (cause I just thought of one more), some of you may just be joining this long blogerific adoption journey and have no idea we had cows. You're like, "what cows?" So to clarify, we do NOT have cows. (yet) Cows have been rather.... symbolic...in this and other financially daunting ventures in my life. You can read all about that in another post here. And what cows and God and money have to do with each other - at least in my mind. Simple as it is. So here's the story, then the breakdown. Along with all the normal mama things I think about all the time, all things adoption are constantly on my mind as well. And I've been noticing cow, goat, and sheep pastures for many months. MANY months. I find them peaceful, enchanting, and greatly encouraging. And "the cattle on a thousand hills," and God's promises and faithfulness are brought quickly to mind. Last weekend a majority of the children joined me for our annual Mother's Day outing. And of course we passed many pastures. But the one that most stood out as we drove was a huge pasture of beautiful green, rolling hills, some big shade tress and miles of fancy fence. But where were all the livestock?
These are not the actual cows we saw, just some world wide web cows from an online English news paper I know nothing about. They're just cute.
We went around curves and over hills. The pasture was huge! The grass wasn't very tall. There had to be some animal somewhere. Then, just before the pretty fence ended all the cows were gathered near a gate. And my little heart said, "Oh, He's gathering them together." As much as I'd like to know exactly (everything) how all this adoption stuff will pan out, it is enough to know Who does. And that He hasn't forgotten. He's just out gathering cows. So as we wait we trust. And blog. And transfer records to google sheets so we can share all the nitty gritty boring bits with the curious, nosy, concerned, or math snobs. Plus, we've asked on repeat for HELP! So we should be clear about what we need help with. (Total transparency) And this will be a good place to send folks. As I mentioned in the last post these helpful spread sheets are posted on the right hand side of the blog home screen (of your on a PC) under the heading "Pages." On a phone you'll find a drop down search bar under the header. Gosh! That's clear as mud! (Took my mother several minutes on the phone with me to find it on her computer - sigh) So I'll just leave them linked below as well. So, to sum up, the cows are coming. We don't know how they'll get here. But we don't own them anyway. Love ya! PS - no word from the far off kids this week. Keep praying for good health and opened borders. Google Sheets Expected Ukrainian Adoptions Fees - this is the simplified version of the estimated need. Where there is a variable or range (like travel or mailing cost) we estimated in the middle. Adoption Expenses - this is everything that has actually been paid to date. All the things (minus fundraisers - those are shared as we go) Adoption Grants - this is my personal spreed sheet of where we have applied or plan to apply soon. (I have no idea why it's green or how to fix it - I'm very new to all the google doc things). This has already proven helpful to some adopting friends.
Our friend far away visited with the children today and sent the following message and pictures - the sign thanks World Children’s Hosting for raising the funds for important parts of Andrii’s medical care and testing.
Hello everyone, how are you? I hope you and your families are in order? I inform you that today I managed to visit Andrei, the other day he completed the fourth course of chemotherapy, he was very weak lately and felt weak, a few days ago Andrei began to eat a little better and go out for a walk, since now Ukraine was quarantined to visit medical, child care facilities and nursing homes, I was forced to buy a protective suit from biochemical protection and only in a suit I was allowed to visit Andrey, for about one hour we walked slowly around the territory Denia with Andrei and his sister Anastasia, we talked a lot about life, talked a lot about the future adoption process, I answered them all the questions, we also discussed the school, their grandmother, friends, they also remembered the Browns family and the USA, we also talked about politics, about coronavirus, in a word Andrei talked a lot and Anastasia also got a little involved in our conversation! We had a wonderful time together, they miss you very much, and they are waiting for you to come to adopt them, they just were very shy and it was not easy to talk to them. I brought them presents - a lot of various healthy fruits, as well as some delicious sweets. Now the main task for Andrey is to eat well and gain some weight, and it is also important that his blood tests improve, since from March 25 his attending oncologist plans to start radiation therapy, which is designed for 50 days. Therefore, I ask you to continue to pray for Andrew! Andrei and Anastasia really hope that this nightmare with coronavirus will end soon and you will be able to come to them as soon as possible.
Great generosity has covered the expenses of MRI's, nursing care, daily markers (testing), which are not covered by the state medical funds. There will probably be another fundraiser to cover Andrii’s care and tests for his upcoming radiation treatment. I'll update and share on Facebook when it's set up.
EDIT: Here's the fundraising set up by Sabrina of WCH on Facebook for his medical care
We are sticklers for context so I've giggled as verses have come to mind about what has taken place in the last 24 hours. They are NOT about adoption or grants or anything concerning money but... "The last shall be first..." (Matthew 20:16), or "A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand..." (Psalm 91:7) We got word yesterday that the last grant we filled out, Open Hearts for Orphans, was approved!!! So we've got our first grant approval. ($2000) Woohoo! I also deposited a healthy lump into our adoption account at the bank from the fundraisers we've had recently. Bringing that account to just over a thousand.
God's providing.
There's still a ways to go... but we see a small dent. In other news, we've been busy!
Saturday at the Jockey Lot
Saturday we parents held a fundraiser at the Anderson Jockey Lot (a huge flee market) and did... okay. It cost us $20 for two tables on which we put lots of treasures that have been donated to help us raise funds. We had sold many items on eBay and Facebook Marketplace but that had slowed down. We also used one end of a table to promote our current Fly Home Fundraiser. We made $99.75 plus the few prints we sold. We meet two Russian speakers - which was thrilling. Talked about ideas for more fundraising (and lots of other stuff). And had a great time together!
The gaggle that went into the GSCCCA to get documents apostilled
Sunday we listen to our favorite preacher! Gene was invited back to preach at Lighthouse Baptist Church. He's glad he got to stretch that muscle. On Monday we loaded up the kids and took a little trip down to Atlanta and got 28 documents apostilled, (Don't know what "apostille" means? See my little glossary by clicking here.) It was way easier than I expected and only took about 20 minutes. We are waiting on one more document and our part of the dossier will be done!!!
The gaggle that stayed in the van and slept while the other half went in to the GSCCCA
We are studying up on Ukraine, the language, and things to do and see in Kyiv. Which mostly means I'm trying to remember how to say "Hi" and "please" and "thank you" and "where's the bathroom" in Russian - and this old dog is having a hard time with this new trick! But we'll keep studying.
Our handy Ukraine book & a little googling printed out
Please continue to pray for us all and the kids waiting on us to come get them. Pray, that while the world seems to be going virus crazy, that the Ukraine borders and government stay open for us and all our new friends who are adopting right now too. Heard another song yesterday that tugged at me. "Sovereign Over Us" by Michael W. Smith - that first verse... part of it goes
Last week was busy in our adoption journey. But WOW! How God moved the processes along!!!
Monday we parents had our medical exam for the dossier. We are healthy and free of certain diseases. Donations took care of this expense. The doctors office was a delight to work with even though we need those forms in triplicate. It’s not uncommon to have to have these papers re-done - and that’s what we’ll be doing this week. Big THANKS to Dr. Raber and his staff at Lighthouse Family Practice.
We also have to have another paper re-done. Thanks to our sweet realtor Theresa Jordan for her help.
We’re very thankful for sweet people who exhibit God’s long-suffering patience with this paperwork.
Near the end of the week we commented about waiting on several things/papers that are totally out of
our control, like immigration approval and FBI clearance. On Friday, Dan the agency man voiced concern that the way we submitted for our FBI clearance could take forever to get back (well, he said 14 weeks - but right now that’s forever). But it only took 2 weeks!!! When we checked the mail after lunch our FBI clearance was there!!!
I was able to get those in the mail him that afternoon.
Then Saturday, while relaxing with some of the children, what should come (that could have taken 75 days but came after only one month)? Our USCIS (immigration) approval!!!! We have approval from the United States to “adopt 2 child/ren from Ukrine."
And that's when I may have cried.
Ava was over, she caught it all on film (or whatever you call snatching up your phone and clicking).
We were so worried about how to get the USCIS to expidite. We fretted. We made calls. We worried other people. But all our effort was for nothing. God had better plans.
Somehow, all 9 of the "already here" children were home Saturday night. So we had pizza and celebrated and watched a movie.
No now we continue to work with our agency to finish up our parts of dossier and keep fundraising and hoping for grants and look forward expectantly to how God will continue to work in this process.
I was lamenting the lack of sharing of our current and recent fundraisers. Thankfully, I was just complaining privately to myself. I quickly had a talk with me. I reminded my complaining self of a documentary we (Gene and I, not the royal we) had the opportunity to see called Blind Eyes Opened. It tells the hard truth about sex trafficking in America. Not a family flick, but could be watched by middle schoolers as they are a much targeted group. Certainly a topic of safety that parents should be discussing at age appropriate levels.
At the end of the showing they had gathered these women who had been featured in the film, all recovering and experiencing the hope and healing found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They discussed their current lives and the ministries they were involved with. Then were asked, “How can people help?” Then we heard the BEST answer ever!!! “You can do something as little as give, or as much as pray." As a ministry leader and hopeful adoptive mama, I LOVE that answer. I know many who are praying. And I know God is hearing and answering those prayers. He has proven it again and again over this past year of trying. And I have no doubt He will continue. His plans are so much greater! While I was typing out these thoughts who should arrive but the UPS man! And guess what arrived!!! Our Fly Home Fundraiser prints (they are gorgeous!) AND our silicone bracelets from the 12-12-12-12 for World Cancer Day fundraiser (they aren’t exactly what I expected, but they’ll do). What an encouragement!!! The birds and the bracelets are still available- just click on the linky-word things up there to find out more or see below. God is good! Drop me a comment below and tell me how God has been good to you this week!
To skip the reading of other blog post and get to business: For Fly Away Home Bird Prints on antique hymn pages by Cady Driver see our order form by clicking here. For a #becoming12 brain and children's cancer awareness silicone bracelet give via PayPal to PayPal.me/edbrown77 - note "for adoption" and your mailing address; or to make a tax deductible gift through the Abba Fund click here.
Yesterday, I was sent 1 Samuel 12:16 and today we have LOTS of good news to share! 🤩
First, wonderful news about Andrii!
He saw a physiologist for 3 days and is feeling much better. He’s also eating “normal food in pieces” and likes the hospital cafe and enjoys “cheesecake fries” (I have no idea what that is but can’t wait to eat it with him!)
“His girls” (nurses) report that he is more relaxed.
He had an MRI on Friday, so we are waiting on those results.
But the best news is for a few days he got to go back to the center where he and Anastasia live!
(The picture is from today!)
To date, all of his uncovered medical needs have been covered by donations! 😍
Second, we had a great call with our adoption agency guy, Dan, yesterday evening. He is started on our dossier and we should have something dossier related to work on by Wednesday.
He also mentioned another place we can request the process be expedited! Which is great!
But that also means we need these funds ASAP!
Which brings me to the third and fourth pieces of good news.
3. To date we have applied for 6 grants. Two more to go out Monday and one more ready but waiting on a letter from our social worker (homestudy gal).
And number 4, if you know us on Facebook you may remember the beautiful birds on hymns fundraiser our friends the Cogan family was doing. Yes? No? Well, as of this morning that is being set up and we should have it ready to go soon. It’s really beautiful! And with Valentines, Easter and Mother’s Day coming up will hopefully do very well.
Wednesdays seem to be becoming a day of new news. Wednesday is also the day the younger children and I go to Community Bible Study (CBS). This year we are spending 30 weeks studying the book of Genesis. We have Core Group time to discuss the weeks lesson. In my core group this year there is an adoptive mom and a mom whose teen son had a brain tumor. This teen was once and athlete and honor student, now he will probably always live with her. I didn't know when we rejoined CBS this year that I would meet these women. I received word about Andrii's illness on an early Wednesday morning. I cried. I called Gene. We prayed. Then I tried to go about the day as normal, getting children reading for CBS. I told two friends when I got there. I was a little weepy. During core group one of the discussion questions got that teen son's mama talking about him and her struggle. She cried. I was blubbering. I HAD to tell those precious ladies the news. No more questions got answered that day. We prayed. For those boys. For us mamas. For comfort. For clarity. That same teen son's mama answered a question this week about what she's learned so far from Genesis, "God made ashes of some of these peoples lives, but he brought something beautiful from it." She sure is beautiful. This week I wore my LOVE shirt and went with news about the completed homestudy. We had studied about Abraham's faithful unnamed servant who was tasked with going to get a wife for Isaac, and the beautiful way Isaac meet Rebekah (the original plot line for all Hallmark movies). (Genesis 24) What a good time of discussion we had! After core group we all go hear a prepared lecture. And it was just what I needed (even the music). The credit for this next part goes to Nancy B., Assistant Teaching Director. When we ask God for guidance for a specific decision or action we can expect 3 proofs to what we believe is His answer (and I can totally attest to this!) 1. Confirming Circumstances (support, time, finances... evidence) 2. The guidance we feel we are receiving are within God's revealed will from His word. (you'll see a verse or verses in you regular reading - if you regularly read - that confirm this). 3. A deep peace concerning the decision (for real, confidence and peace - even if the thing to do still seems scary) In our lesson, the servant, Isaac, Rebekah and her family all saw God fulfilling His plan in the details of their lives and also in His bigger story. When we faithfully answer God's call, He uses us to fulfill His Master Plan. The unnamed servant was called to act, he was successful in his undertaking - and he gave all the glory to God. We feel tasked to adopt... and know that God is in the details. These ladies and I faithfully show up to CBS... and look what God is doing! Sometimes the trip is LONG (the servant traveled about 3 weeks by camel, we have spent a long time already trying to get to Ukraine), but that just gives us more time to pray.
PS - Today is Friday, Jan.17 - We mailed the forms to USCIS today!
GOOD NEWS!!!! After MONTHS and MONTHS of waiting the HOMESTUDY is FINALLY DONE!!!! APPROVED. SIGNED. NOTARIZED. It's being FedEx'd to us tonight. The agency is supposed to sent us an approval letter, then we can send a bundle of forms (that I've already filled out in expectation) and evidence to USCIS (immigration/Dept of Homeland Security). Ideally we can overnight it on Friday, but Monday by the latest. It will take them about 10 days to official receive it - then we can ask for it to be expedited. While we wait we can work on lots of other fun (not fun) things. Like a pile of papers to send to Ukraine and all the running around and redoing that will be. And applying for grants. We will be BUSY! And that is good. Because I need to feel like we are doing something to get us closer to bringing them home. I'll leave you with this encouragement I got this morning - not my normal worship song. God is the Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper, Light in the darkness.... He is making a way, He can work a Miracle, He always keeps His promise, and He is leading the way in His time. It's His plan. We just get to be part of helping to carry it out.
Another sweet cousin is trying to plan an adoption fundraiser for us and asked for information and a breakdown of the cost of the adoption to present to her church and local businesses.
The total funds needed is an overwhelming amount.
But we determined at the beginning, with God's help, to eat this big elephant one little bite at a time. And thus far, God has been faithful to supply. He is always faithful.
The first week of December we needed to send the agency $1300, we were a little short, so we sent what we could. And we were pretty spent, totally out of ideas for quickly raising more. Then the phone rang. By the weekend we had two more small fundraisers to do. The difference was made up. The $1300 was covered, with change left for the ongoing fundraisers (headbands, wreaths, and such).
Cow painting by Mary Beadles - given to Jorja last week at a fundraiser
Earlier this year, driving to some adoption/trauma training, I passed some peaceful rolling farmland. Hills full cows to my right, a multitude of sheep to my left. And I was reminded of how God could keep the lights on. It reassured me to keep moving forward and pursuing these kids.
This week, I passed a pasture with just a few cows and immediately thought, "Oh look, He sold some cows."
I woke up Friday, to the official diagnosis for Andrii, "stage four malignant brain tumor with metastasis in the spinal cord." (Talk about adding wood to the fire!)
We had about $200 in the Abba Fund and $136 in the bag (my fancy way of keeping adoption funds separate is a big ziplock bag - don't be jealous of my organizational skills). And I shared publically about Andrii.
Within hours we were overwhelmed with love and support and the way people who don't know him or us are being God's hands and feet.
Enabling our desire to bring them home.
Helping the orphans.
Being used to set the lonely in family.
Gathering those cow auction profits.
Oh how He loves us! All of us. All 12.
(And Stephen too - which makes 13, but I'm not changing the name of the blog).
I'll stop typing now.
*curtsy*
*** This is NOT a plug for the prosperity gospel. It is our little finite minds and hearts attempt to remember to trust a totally trustworthy, infinite, eternal, creative, doer of the impossible, God and Kimg of the entire universe to care for us. We are but sinful dust. We are totally undeserving of any good. Yet He cares for us. He carries us. He loves lavishly. All glory and praise and honor belong to Him.
At the beginning of the week our ideas for fundraisers were all falling flat - then the phone rang! This Saturday we will again divide and conquer!
Erin will be helping at a booth in Royston and Gene will be at a booth in Hartwell!
Of course assorted offspring have been voluntold to help (and they’re excited about it).
🎄What we want most for Christmas is to have them home! 👩🏻🤝👨🏼
Update: We had a great time at the bazaar and artisan market this past weekend! Its always fun to meet your neighbors (some are more interesting than others) ;)
Jorja is a natural sales lady! I was so glad to have her help me at the Artisan Market. And Kelly, who hosted the event at The Old Corner Hardware Store, was a wonderful hostess! Thank you Janna McCollum of Ruby Jewel Designs for generously allowing us this opportunity.
Gene had a great time with Ava, Autumn, & Lora. Thanks so much to Tammy at Hart Life for allowing us a space. (Did you notice that the tablecloths are the colors of the Ukrainian flag?)
The FUNdraising continues in the upcoming post! Stay tuned!
When we are waiting on something good it seems to take forever!
But when we have something to do (or that we should be doing) the time flies by!
Blogging will be an easy way to keep everyone up to date. (If you actually do it).
I'll be good at blogging. (Nope - sorry).
Here's the possibly lengthy catch-you-up post. (not totally in chronological order).
Since my last post was about a patriotic quilt (seriously thought I'd updated LOTS since then), I'll start with:
The quilt sold via eBay. But not for as much as we had hoped. We are very grateful to Aunt Carolyn for her donation of the beautiful quilt and to the eBay-er who was delighted to use it in redecorating.
We have since been posting lots of little things on eBay (member erbr_2337) to help raise funds and in the process have gotten to know our sweet postal worker better. They are the most helpful people for shipping anything as cheaply inexpensively as possible. And they are just super sweet.
Photos and college by Jacob
We did have one more yard sale that had shoppers waiting on us when we arrived at the crack of dawn. The unsold treasures lived in the basement until I couldn't stand it anymore and "organized." Some things went on Facebook Marketplace, some on eBay, some to the thrift store. (And, for the sake of total honesty, a few treasures we are using).
Currently, there's a box in the dining room and two in the basement of posted and waiting to be posted items. I got my house back and an extra job.
A sweet friend, Elena, did a Tupperware fundraiser. It was delicious.
Tomorrow we are having a Krispy Kreme sale before (and possible after) church.
100 dozen doughnuts = 1200 doughnuts
Pray for hungry folks with $7 and a sweet tooth to drive by.
We did this last year to help raise funds for hosting fees and more than doubled our investment. So all those eBay sales have been invested in doughnuts.
Of course we still take donations any time in person, snail mail (message us for the address), via PayPal, or for tax deductible gifts through the Abba Fund.
Fundraising is FUN. But exhausting. And I'm running out of creative ideas. Matter of fact, I'm not feeling very creative at all. In any area.
But we have been encouraged this month. We can finally see the light at the end of this homestudy tunnel. We had been waiting (for over 6 months) for one piece of paper, a certain background check, to be sent to our homestudy agency. They had requested it several times. Finally, after several phone calls it arrived. So now we make sure all our boxes are checked and get our original documents together and wait again.
Fall Birthday People
Next steps (hopefully), apostillizing the documents (they get stamped as "fo'real" legal papers), USA approval, and extreme grant writing. (Plus holidays).
In more personal news:
Over half the family had birthdays - Jorja, Autumn, Gene, Erin, Jacob, and Elijah.
And the biggest news (drum roll) after a blur of preparations and bridal showers,
Ava and Stephen tied the knot!
It was beautiful. They are beautiful.
The only thing we wish was different (okay, they only big thing) was that the two new children could have already been here.
Here is a video of just a few of the pictures from the wedding events:
So that's the short version of the last some-odd months.
Today it has been one year, one month and ten days since we first opened out hearts and homes to two wonderful, beautiful, smart, sweet, funny, energetic young teens. Orphans who want a family.
Pray things hurry along from here and provision is made for all expenses with the least amount of stress.
Pray for Gene and I. God is refining us, our household, our finances, and our marriage.
And pray for our two "heart children" who are also waiting - they are ready to come home! Pray God would protect them and redeem this time and place people in their lives to shine His love to them.
How many times have I said to myself just in the past few
days, “It’s all in God’s perfect timing. He has all the details in order. You
are NOT in control”?
A LOT!
We are still waiting on the septic to be fixed so we can pass
that portion of the homestudy.
I am not in control of that man who dig’s holes and lays pipes’
schedule.
I must get some fingerprinting redone.
I am not in control of how any of that works.
The Young Love Birds
Ava’s medical report was totally messed up at the doctor’s
office.
I am not in control of those people and their lack of
understanding.
We are in full-blow wedding planning crazy! And the budget
is…. There isn’t one. It’s a week by week adventure.
That is beyond my control. We only have so much. We can only plan and pay for what we are able
to week by week.
What am I in control of?
My attitude. I can enjoy the ever-changing journey. I can
decide this is an exciting adventure and love every minute (it’s only a season).
I can be patient. I can treat people with kindness (even when
they make me wait more).
I can be a good steward of all we are given. I can keep
moving forward (with adoption fundraising, and paper collecting, and wedding
planning).
I can do my best at what I can and not sweat the rest.
I can KISS it all (Keep It Simple Stupid).
I can choose each day (multiple times) to trust God’s
perfect plan. (this one is the most important).
I can take care of me. Then I can take care of others (and
all the rest). I can stop in the middle of all the crazy and give myself a
pedicure or read a book or write a blog post (your welcome) or take a nap (or
all these as needed).
I can try to control me and my words and actions.
I’m out of control. But not really.
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some
people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to
be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
2 Peter 3:9
Have
patience, have patience
Don't be in
such a hurry
When you get
impatient, you only start to worry
Remember,
remember that God is patient, too
And think of all the times when others have to wait for you
Today all this legal stuff is just taking too long!
I’m
feeling impatient. I want to rush things but it’s out of my control. (And to
fair, we are still just in the overly detailed dragged-out beginning phase – so
this is totally a heart issue – keeping it real).
It’s been four and a half months since we hugged them good-bye. (Seem longer). We didn’t know what to do with ourselves. God distracted us with a problem with
the van (less serious than the current van problem).
I dreamed again last night that we were where they are and I
could hug them, touch their faces, tell them that I love them and that we
really are trying hard to get there and bring them home.
Oh, to bring them home!
Got up and did my morning routine. Bathroom, coffee, devotions
(about parenting), emails, Facebook (hit the brakes) - right near the top of my
feed someone had shared a beautiful older child adoption story (linked here).
Now I’m a teary-eyed mess.
Reminded again that God is in control. We may not understand
His plan. We may get impatient with His timing and provision. But it is ALWAYS
PERFECT.
He loves them.
We just trust and press forward with the next task at hand. All for
His glory.
They’ll be here soon.
"This God—His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
He is a shield for all those who take refuge
in Him."
PS - It's so much the little things that impress me and keep me amused. Pretty rocks, little flowers, baby toes....wanna boost my ego a little? Subscribe to this blog - we "installed" a gadget for that near the top of the sidebar. Or just comment occasionally. Tell us your praying, give us some wise word, or tell us we're crazy... all are acceptable.
Gene and I celebrated our twelfth anniversary this past weekend.
We started with a Famliversary Brunch with all the children – ‘cause really it’s
the day we became a family (not just married folks).
We were gifted with some money with instructions to get
outta town.
So we did.
We romantics found a cute little cabin on Airbnb built in
the mid-1850’s down in Thomson, GA and spent two quiet nights ALONE!!! Totally
alone. Even the host left town for the holiday and we had the invitation to
roam and use their pool and enjoy ourselves. Nearby there were some historic
sites (even pre-revolutionary stuff) and antique stores nearby and we are dorks
and love that stuff.
So we did.
We sure needed it. Then it was time to come back to reality.
Reluctantly.
So we did.
But we’d love to go back.
We were very happy with our Airbnb reservation and with
every part of the process and stay.
And we learned 3 helpful things:
1.There are Airbnb places in Kiev. And hopefully
soon we’ll get to go there.
2. If we share our Airbnb link with people they can
get a nice discount
3. If those people make a reservation we get Airbnb
credit that we can save up and use on those several trips to Kiev. That would be super helpful!
So if you’re looking for a nice place to park yourself for
vacation or business or just cause sometimes you gotta get outta
town, here’s a link to save you money!
