Fundraiser pictures

Boy- did we have fun today! We are all exhausted, but it was well worth it. What a party we had... Here is Hubby and I trying our very first crawfish. Our response: when they say cajun, they mean it! haha

Hubby, the funny man!

Here is 'grandma', she was with us all day.

We had a live worship band playing for us today. Here is a picture of the children singing with the band, "This little light of mine."

Momma & the kiddos

The "fundraising table." We had cookbooks, beaded jewelry, 'fun-fur' flip flops, and a beautiful framed picture of the Liberian children (my friend brought it for us).


Finally, a picture of the cookbook...

We had such a fun day, thank you to those who came and volunteered your time to help us.
Have a blessed weekend!

Fundraiser tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big "crawfish dinner fundraiser." There have been lots of last minute preparations and lots of people helping us! We're told that the dinner is the 'buzz' around town (and in neighboring towns as well). We didn't have much luck selling tons of tickets, but we have heard many comments like: "We plan on coming, don't really care if we eat crawfish, we just want to meet the family and possibly give a donation." So, sounds like a party if nothing else...

BIG NEWS~~THE COOKBOOKS ARE IN!!!! I'll try to get a picture posted sometime next week of the cover so you can see it. Anyone interested in purchasing an Adoption Blessings & More cookbook, please email me and I'll get you a copy ASAP. We're asking $18 per book and $2 S/H. If you've contacted me in the past and were interested in a cookbook, look for an email in the next few days asking for confirmation. I want to be extra sure before sending out the books to you all. The cookbook has 3 'extra' sections including: baby food recipes, Liberian recipes & breakfasts.

No update this week on the paperwork. The woman we've been corresponding with is out of the office until Tuesday next week. We hope to call & speak with our eldest son Monday morning to check in with him. My in-laws will also be on their way down here on Monday. We hope to see them Tuesday or Wednesday! The kids here are super excited to see grandma & grandpa!

Have a great weekend. Please remember us in your prayers as tomorrow approaches. The dinner will be from 3-6pm (Central time). I'll fill you in on the details after it's all done.

We praise God for the blessings we will receive especially tomorrow and for the people we will speak with.

*Side note- 'grandma' has loaned me an authentic African lappa (skirt) and shirt. I'll be arriving at the dinner in style. I'll post pictures of that as well, next week.

Have a great weekend!

NEW PICTURE!

I just received this picture of our 4 precious children! This is, by far, is the best picture we've seen yet of all 4. I'll be oohing & aahing the rest of the day... enjoy!

Praise

Once again, lyrics from a song touch my heart today. We stay here waiting for our precious children, praying for them all day long. My mother's heart is longing for them. Longing to sing to them, longing to teach them & longing to love them. Part of my heart is half a world away...

With every breath, with every thought, from what is seen, to that deepest part. I offer up that I’ve come to be, to know your love, Father in me. Father, you’re all I need. My sole sufficiency, my strength when I am weak, the love that carries me. Your arms enfold me, I am a child of God.

With every step, on this journey’s walk, and wisdom’s songs that the soul has sought- I give myself unreservingly, to know your love- Father in me. Father, you’re all I need. My sole sufficiency, my strength when I am weak. The love that carries me. Your arms enfold me, I am a child of God.

Jesus, be the center, be my source, be my light, Jesus. Jesus, be the center, be my hope, be my song, Jesus. Be the fire in my heart, be the wind in these sails, be the reason that I live. Jesus, Jesus.

Jesus, be my vision, be my path, be my guide, Jesus. Be the fire in my heart, be the wind in these sails, be the reason that I live- Jesus, Jesus.

Be the fire… be the fire in my heart, be the wind in these sails, be the reason that I live- Jesus, Jesus.

There’s no one like our God, no one at all- gave His son for us, Jesus the Lord. Who can love us like He does, no one at all. Oh, how we love you Lord!

You lift the needy from the ashes, and sit them high up with the princes. You give the barren woman healing, she’ll dance with joy like the mother of children.

There’s no one like our God, no one at all- gave His son for us, Jesus the Lord. Who can love us like He does, no one at all. Oh, how we love you Lord!

I have sung my songs of praise, thanksgiving on my lips, bowed low and worshipped you. But now I’m coming close, closer than before, for the veil is torn in two. Now that I am here with you, there’s no place I’d rather be! Now that I have felt your touch, make your home in me.

I feel so safe with you, acceptance in your voice. You whisper tenderly. You are my beloved, chosen one my friend, you’re so precious to me! Now that I am here with you, there’s no place I’d rather be. Now that I have felt your touch, make your home in me.

New day

Today is a new day!
I thought I would bring forward the organization that we trust the most that adopts children out of Liberia.

If you feel led to donate to someone for the Liberian orphans, we personally recommend this particular agency: Acres of Hope. Please pray as to where the Lord is guiding you to direct your generosity & love. All orphans in the world are in need of compassion and a helping hand- if you're not specifically directed to Liberia, please search out other places/countries where you feel led to help.

http://www.acresofhope.org/aboutacres.htm


This entire process of adoption has been full of ups and downs- moments of worry and moments of pure joy. I don't doubt this is the story of every adoptive parent. Hubby and I see this as a wonderful blessing and even in the tough times- we thank God for this journey. I heard a wonderful quote today on my favorite christian radio station. It is: "I don't mind the 'valley' times that much- it makes the mountain tops that much sweeter."

How true is that?

We thank you all for the prayers. Once again, I found strength in the form of a song this morning. I thank God for placing me in a country where I can simply listen to the radio and hear christian songs. I praise God that I can open my bible anywhere I please, and read His inspired words. I'll leave you today with the wonderful words that brought my heart renewed hope & strength.

"But the voice of truth tells me a different story- the voice of truth says, 'DO NOT BE AFRAID.' And the voice of truth says, 'This is for my glory.' Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth. Listen to the sound of Jesus...."

Reality check

My reality check is this: Before we began these adoptions, I went through my daily life NEVER thinking about orphans or those suffering in ANY 3rd world country. I never thought of them and I never prayed for them. I felt bad when I saw commercials on t.v. about starving children- but I never did anything about it. The most important thing we can ever do is- PRAY! I never, ever prayed for these people. I'm having a huge reality check that this IS happening in 2007 and it is true that a large percentage of the world is living on less than $1 per day.

I know that the Lord is almighty and 100% in control here. He has a master plan and I know that I need to fully understand that and feel it in my heart. It is very easy for a helpless feeling to creep up on me and send me into a tailspin but that brings God no glory.

So- today I resolve to give God 100% of the glory even in spite of what is happening "in the world." I praise God for the blessings He gives and the life lessons He teaches. Please join with me and pray for all the orphans in the world who are suffering. Please join me in praying for those who live on so little and who have not a fraction of the 'things' we have.

Not only should we be praying for those who live in poverty- but let's broaden our prayers for those who are non-Christian. Those who live in poverty and don't know the love of Christ. There is a 'section' in our world called the 10/40 window. Look here for more information and please pray for these people. Liberia falls in this 'section' of the world.

Have you all seen the movie "Facing the Giants?" Hubby and I are 'preparing the field' as we have firm confidence that the Lord will bring forth His blessings. The big crawfish-dinner fundraiser is set for Saturday, March 31st from 3-6pm. Depending on whether or not we sell the cookbooks and last 5 boxes of chocolates, I will be outside of Walmart on the 1st of April selling those.

No answer at the orhanage yet. Other parents are having the same problem getting through and haven't been able to talk with their children.

I have 23 yarn dolls done- almost half way to my goal!