Footprints

Today is a day of encouragement for me. As I prepare our home for our new children, I can't help but feel lonely for them. Even though we haven't met them yet, they are in our hearts as our other 3 children are. We celebrated Dear daughter #3's 6th birthday on Sunday and as we looked around at all the children eating cake and having fun, we couldn't help but think there were 3 missing. We've just begun this process and have many months to go! We also can't help but think of our Liberian children and how they must long for a family. Being that they don't even know about us yet, they are still praying for someone/anyone to bring them into a home and love them.

I watch the video of them twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. I love to hear their voices and see their smiles and facial expressions. I beam with joy when I see them, just like a mother would look upon her child at a first ballet recital or first soccer game. They are all so precious to me. So, I needed encouragement today to hold strong and be patient during this wait. The poem "Footprints in the Sand" came to mind with the very last verse ringing true in my mind and heart. "God replied, 'My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you during your times of trials and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints in the sand, it was then that I was carrying you.' "

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 108: 1-5

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

When love takes you in

I know you've heard the stories, but they all sound too good to be true. You've heard about a place called home, but there doesn't seem to be one for you. So one more night you cry yourself to sleep and drift off to a distant dream where love takes you in and everything changes. A miracle starts with the beat of a heart, when love takes you home and says you belong here. The loneliness ends and a new life begins, when love takes you in. And somewhere while you're sleeping, someone else is dreaming too, counting the days until they hold you close and say I love you. And like the rain that falls into the sea, in a moment what has been is lost in what will be. When love takes you in, everything changes, a miracle starts with the beat of a heart. And this love will never let you go, there is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold. When love takes you in, everything changes. A miracle starts with the beat of a heart, when love takes you home and says you belong here. The loneliness ends and a new life begins, when love takes you in it takes you in for good-when love takes you in.

-from Steven Curtis Chapman's "When love takes you in"

Thankful hearts

I just read this on my particular e-group for people adopting from Liberia. I thought it was very appropriate to share.

"You aren't just adopting because of 'us' or 'the children in Liberia.' You are doing this because of God. He is the One who lays this on our hearts, He is the One we are obeying when we answer the call. They are His children, He is their Father. We do this for Him. Praying that we will bring glory to Him above all. Let's be thankful to Him for all things. And as we rejoice or grieve over each step that is accomplished or not accomplished, let's remember that NOTHING compares to the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord. Let's show mercy and grace to each other. Grieve with those who grieve and rejoice with those who rejoice, but above all, Glorify Him!"

Mural completed

The mural is now completed. My sister did an amazing job! She left yesterday evening to return home to her family, we miss her and my niece already. It was a fun-filled crazy week, but did we have fun! We made many beaded key chains and I've sold some already for donations. If you'd like to purchase any, please contact me for pictures. The price is $5 per keychain and all the money goes towards adoption expenses.
Sunday night Hubby went before the board at a friend's church. He told them our situation and that we were trying to raise money to bring our 4 precious children home. They were so kind and gracious to him. Our friend called after the board meeting was over and they decided to give a very generous donation. We have also received additional donations through the mail and from friends here in town. We also continue to receive donations for clothes and other daily care items.

Thank you, Father God, for touching the hearts of others that they would give so freely to us.

Thank you again to those of you who have given donations! We couldn't do this without you!

Also, thank you for all the support and prayers. We are so enjoying this process and look forward to standing firm to the end until this journey is completed. We so look forward to the day our children are home and we can start "daily life."

He tends his flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11

Mural in progress

Ok...so I knew she was talented-but WOW! My sister has been working late into the night and during the days to get this mural done before she flies home on Monday. As you can see, the elephant and the lion have yet to be painted but everything else is done. The continent of Africa is painted with chalkboard paint so we can write the children's names and mark where Liberia is located.

We hope to get the home study done soon. I'm simultaneously working on the things for the dossier. Once the homestudy is completed we can start filing paperwork and hopefully get the dossier completed to send in by September.

I'll post more pictures when the mural is completed. Have a great weekend!

Fellowship

My sister arrived from Minnesota yesterday, what fun we've been having! It's been just about a year since we've seen each other-we've decided we're starting to look old. I guess sisters can say that to each other! :)

We've been busy with children during the days and having fun with "sister-talk" during the nights. Tomorrow we start the big "African mural" project. Our spare room will now become the toy/activity room for all the kids and I had the great idea of painting a mural for our Liberian children. Of course, there was one problem-I don't draw...or paint murals! But guess who does?? Sissy to the rescue...

My sister and her husband came up with the great idea to paint the continent of Africa in black (to look like a silhouette) and then the sunset behind. Along the borders of the continent will be a courageous lion, cute looking zebra and a huge elephant. The black paint will be chalkboard paint so we can write on "Africa." We'll mark Liberia and then write the children's names also within the mural. Sound ambitious? Probably, with 4 children running around the house while we attempt to do this. We'll have fun though-even if we are sleep deprived! :)

We want to start the home study process soon. I have a few more phone calls to make.

I've also purchased some beads to make key chains, necklaces, etc. for fundraising purposes. Sister and I have started putting together some key chains (see picture above) during our nightly sister-chatty-time. If you'd be interested in purchasing any of these items for a donation, please contact me: gusnbec@hughes.net

I received my first order of Red Palm Oil. Today we made the smoothy recipe-YUMMY! Tomorrow I hope to make rice with dinner so we will try it on the rice. I'll let you know the results. For now, I must bid farewell. Sweet baby is calling me...