Iowa in the Fall

The weather here in NW Iowa has been beautiful! The colors of fall are gorgeous all the trees are turning bright orange, yellow and reds.

Here is the combine, with the wagon loads ready to bring to town or a bin!

All full of corn!

The farmers are all busy in the fields, trying to finish up before the rain/snow set in! Hard to believe last year we h

ad snow already! Our house has fields surrounding us and Brynn was fortunate to get to ride in the combine while taking the corn out! She said it was awesome!

The manure is in the wagon!

The worst part of when the corn and beans are out, the farmers apply manure from the hog buildings! Here is a picture of a manure spreader, knifing in the manure!

Yes, you should smell it out here! You do not want to have a bon fire or grill! While in MS, we tried to explain to Ms. R exactly how this is all done! I still can see her face!

We have a baptism date is place!! We are so excited to have him baptized! We only(haha) have a week left and than we only have to finalize in Iowa!! God is good! Mark talked to our Director of New Horizon's at the beginning of the week, the conversation was, if Marcus would of come home, we would of never have been blessed to have Brody in our Family! We are so Blessed! Thank You Lord, and as we wait for the day we can (Lord willing!) take Marcus home, we continue to pray that God will be with him and Bless him with what his daily needs are!!
Praising God for a wonderful Blogger Family who is welcoming home their son from Liberia today!! Welcome home Daniel!! I am so happy for the S Family!

Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 150

Home

We are home from our adventure in Mississippi!! Needless to say, a lot different than we thought it would be! Mark and I talked about how we had huge expectations of going to Mississippi. We are thankful God is beside us and most of all we are so thankful for friends and family who prayed for us while we experienced these crazy last 5 days!
We have come to learn that we take for granted Social Workers who are aware of Dr appointments, and the Medical System we should appreciate more!
God Blessed us with a caring, kind, beautiful young lady who chose us to raise her baby Boy! We had the pleasure of meeting R, and some of her family! R told us why she picked our family out of all the profile books. I got a chance to see where the Baby B will be born, parts Hattiesburg, and so there are so many beautiful people in MS! Brynn had a chance to feel her brother kick her! It was priceless!! Brynn would of never got the chance to do that if we didn't go!!
Here are some pictures...



Welcomes to Hattiesburg, MS



Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
Psalm 25:4

 

 

August 25 I will be flying down to Mississippi, and Thursday, August 26 I will be with Ms. R while she has her c-section!

This is the verse I had in my inbox for today...fits perfectly!
"'I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.' And he worshiped the LORD there." I Samuel 1:27-28

 

Good Ole Iowa!!

SUMMERTIME

What does our Family do in the Summer!!

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness" Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you
with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I pray that you...may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17-18

"Whatever is true...think about such things...
And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

We continue to pray and wait on Liberia to make a move!
Praying for Family's waiting domestically!!

2 years ago!

Two years ago God placed your picture and profile in our SW hands! Two years ago we saw your beautiful face!

God has led us to wonderful christian friends all over the world! You have brought us joy, even though we have not met you! God is watching and taking care of you while we wait for you!! Not knowing when or if the day will come to take you home to your brothers and sister! Until than, we are so thankful for your wonderful Caregivers, and for Joni to stop over and visit you and give you some Iowa loving from us! You are a blessing our dear little boy! We love you and continue to pray God's grace and peace to you and all your friends at the Orphanage!
Sending Hugs & Love!
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God is in Control

Today I heard this song that Steven Curtis Chapman wrote after the death
of his dear daughter. I just noticed it is the anniversary date of their precious daughter! The words are amazing, just in our journey of waiting for Liberia to reopen! My heart is with our dear friends who just had the 5 year mark of waiting for their children to come home from Guatemala! The words are powerful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoAYb8YmCwQ

I have yet to figure out how to upload this on here!

This journey can go so quickly for some(most)families on this journey. Most families do not wait long for a international adoption, (less than a year is common)domestic adoptions tend to be longer. In fact, when you start the process, you are so excited and anxious you find a country that will be swift and reputable. It is so hard to hear some family's talk about they're long wait! And it is less than a year. Tomorrow will mark our referral of M, 2 years ago! Than to think Dawn's family just marked their 5th year! I have nothing to complain about!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12

God is in Control! Check this song out and the words!!

KEEP THE FAITH!

Prayer Requests:
Prayers for those who have been waiting!
Prayers for those waiting domestically!
Prayers for Mark's Uncle Kenny who is having chemo!(We love You Uncle Kenny!"
Graduates

16 Years Ago....

16 Years ago, Mark and I went through one of the biggest challenges in our life! All because of a cement rake handle! It landed wrong, when Mark jumped over a wall at work! Punctured his groin and went through his whole body! Our journey took a year of prayers, doctors, several surgeries, and a wonderful Nurse who was our Angel and is one today, who came to our house at least 5 times a week! Not only she was a nurse, a grandma to Beau, a friend, and a different one on call on the weekends. Beau was only 1, when this happened. God, was with us and still today He is walking with us!





I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11

Today, it seems like that happened a long time ago! God willing, next year, when we celebrate Mark's 17th accident anniversary, we have our little ones home!

Seek first the Kingdom....

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."Matthew 6:33-34

This week, we are praying that God will be with those who are working our case over in Liberia. Please Lord, we ask You to move the mountains that are needed to help bring our little boy home. If is not your will, we pray that your love will cover us, and help us to see what You want us to see. But most of all, we ask you to be near our little brown eyed boy, continue to bless him, with health, joy and peace. May your love fall upon all those children all over the world!

Pray You Enough!

I have seen this before, and thought it would be great on the blog! I don't think we can ever pray too much for all of our friends and family – and especially for those who wish us less than well. There is so much sadness around us! I think we loose site of what is really important in our lives! God has blessed us with so much! We need to use the tools he has given us, read the Bible, praying for our family, friends and those who are not on the same page as us. In all we do we need to bring it to God, and he will guide us and help us on the days we need it the most. We just need to look and listen to what he is telling us! May God bless you and I pray you all enough!

Here is the awesome reminder:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To all my friends and loved ones, I PRAY YOU ENOUGH.......
Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.'
They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking,

'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'
'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.

' May I ask what that means?'
She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations... My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more...

'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'
Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.
I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright

no matter how gray the day may appear.
I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more
I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
Then, she began to cry, and walked away.
They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE – life is not a dress rehearsal.....

New Pictures...The wait continues!

God has blessed us with pictures of our little boy,
whom we have been praying for since May, 2008!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

1 Samuel 1:27

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.
Psalm 107: 24

This was the Lord's work, this wonderful lady, whom we only know from emailing. Took time to bring Marcus his birthday goodie bag! She took time away from her children at another orphanage, volunteering her time helping build a better place for children. "Thank You Lord, for bringing her into our Family's life, to bring some joy to Marcus and his family at the Orphanage!"

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30

To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

Psalm 3:4

I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

Psalm 120:1

Marcus blowing this fun thing! What are these things really called?

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalms 107:1

We all had a special blessing from this little girl in the Buzz Lightyear costume! Buzz was/is a the main toy to our house!

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet… seek me daily and delight to know my ways…" Isaiah 58:1-2

Our Family struggles during this wait time! So many questions, not many answers! When we started this journey in 2 years ago, we never imagined the obstacles we would endure. The process of adoption is not easy! Last night I talked to another family who is also on this journey. Any adoptive family really bears all it privacy, revealing information about fiances, how you deal with children on good days and bad days, joys and the concerns of your heart. Yet, why do us parents/family do this....God places this in a Mom/Dad's heart! It is crazy how you just can't remove the feeling of adoption. To see these pictures of Marcus, just floods my heart to see his sweet face. As our Family continues on this journey, we pray that God Blesses all these children in these pictures and the Nannies. For none of them really know the outside world, of clean water, clothes, bed's without screens, windows, bathroom, kitchen, lights, tv, toys, pets, grocery stores and knowing there is always food on the table. I just praise God that God is there, God is in Liberia, God is here in our home, in our hearts. While the Liberian Gov't continues to wait to reopen...we are constantly looking and praying for God's will for our family! There are so many families who are also waiting for Liberia to reopen. There is a family by us who is waiting for Guatemala to let they're children come home! I know we have been waiting, but this family has been waiting for 3 years for they're 2 children to come home! Please pray for all of us waiting! God is a great big God and without Him, we would be lost!

Thanks for checking up on us!

Blessing's to All of You!

Standing on the Rock!

Standing on the Rock is one of the best songs we sing during Sunday School hour and through out Vacation Bible School. This adoption process is suppose to be one of excitement, anticipation, love, prayer and most of all praise. At the beginning of this we knew our faith, patience's and our mentality would be tested. It is amazing how we feel God's Love, His Grace and most of all His hand holding ours during this process. There are times when Mark, Beau and I get frustrated with the not knowing and not hearing anything. Than I hear the younger ones talking and including Marcus in there plans. "When Marcus comes home". It is just a way of life for them.

I did receive and email yesterday from the consulars office from Monrovia yesterday. Here is some of the letter:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indeed the moratorium has lasted much longer than we thought it would. The Embassy has been hard pressed to get information from the Government of Liberia (GOL) on when exactly the moratorium will be lifted. Our latest information has been that the Government will review requests for special needs children, however it will be the entity that will determine if a child meets the requirement of “special need”.

Since the moratorium was announced, the GOL has established a “Hague Convention” type central authority that is reviewing Liberia’s adoption plan. The Central Authority is comprised of members from the Ministries of Justice, Health and Social, Foreign Affairs, Gender and Internal Affairs. This Authority will review all requests for adoption of children from Liberia and will establish adoption policy once the new law has been passed in the Senate.
The GOL has not grandfathered adoptions that were approved before the moratorium was announced but has mentioned in a recent letter to Adoption Service Providers operating in Liberia that it is “aware of the hardship faced by parents you have adopted children but have been unable to complete the adoption to the point that a child may travel with its parent to the United States.”
Truthfully, I cannot say when the suspension might be lifted. The only information I can pass on is that you do the best you can in seeing that your child has those things that would help in preventing or in the treatment of malaria, i.e., mosquitoes nets, repellents and treatment if he should come down with malaria. I know this does not remove the longing for your child but it at least might assist in keeping him healthy and safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So we know it is going to take continued prayer and leave it all in God's hands. As we press on and see what God has planned for our family, we ask that you pray, and I beg you pray hard for our agency (as we wait for Marcus), that they're hearts soften to lets us find options in our situation.

Please also pray for other families who are waiting!

Praise for a family from Katelyn's Fund who received a sibling group referral! Yippee!

Here are some awesome scriptures I found! I put some pictures of our past week with them. God Bless You all!

******

Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:3-4

"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!"

Deuteronomy 32:4

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"
James 1:3-4

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
Romans 10:17

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:18

Another Week...No News

This waiting is really starting to get hard. Knowing, that our case is stalled in Liberia! :(

There really is no timeline to what or when adoptions cases will be started up again. The hardest part is understanding what God's plan is for us! We find ourselves questioning the "What If" game. This week it was such a blessing to talk to 2 Mom's who are/have adopted internationally! Thank you so much you 2! Your words of encouragement, advice and love are amazing! :)

The prayers are felt!

Psalm 25:5
Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

It is hard to believe the kids have there last week of school next week! I am so excited to have them home, and VBS around the corner, and baseball games!

Happy 60th Birthday to My Mom!

It was fun to take my Mom out for her birthday! We went and met Julie at 26th Grille for lunch, and took Mom to get her first pedicure! To bad we are watching our calories, we didn't even celebrate with cake! :(

Hopefully my sisters and I can get together to give mom her present soon!

My mom is an amazing lady!

Mom: Thank you for raising us all in a christian home, I appreciate all you do for my family, you have so many wonderful gifts you share, you go out and spend your days with those Grandpa's and Grandma's who need help, those struggling with cancer, you are always there for your grandchildren, you have become a Yankee fan even though you would rather sit at a lake with your toes in the sand, when the grand kids are sick you have words of advice, or you come over to to help them feel better and most of all you are always there to listen to me, when Mark and I miscarried our first baby you held our hand the whole time, you rejoiced with us with the birth of our 4 children, and now as we wait to see what God has planned for our family, you have a listening ear.

Thanks Mom, I Love You!

Our family is so happy for a family in our church! Congratulation's Tim & Kristi!

Check out the little blessing they're family has been praying for! God does hear our prayers! :)

http://bringinghomeblue.blogspot.com/

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving

Seaching for Answers....

Psalm 51:16-17
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

Colossians 1:11
being strengthened with all power according to his

glorious might so that you may have great endurance

and patience, and joyfully..

Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Job 32:11
I waited while you spoke,

I listened to your reasoning;

while you were searching for words,

Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

With no anwered questions, no updates, no nothing, we praise God we can lay it at His feet for direction and guidence!

A great prayer....

A dear friend had this on her Caring Bridge site, and it fits so perfectly with so many of us! Maybe we are having a down day, adopting, waiting for a phone call, sick baby, family, too many other issues, where do I stop.

In the midst of a whole lot of uncertainty, set your mind on the one certainty in life: God loves you and He is in control.

Dear Lord, thank You that in the midst of uncertain times, fearful times, and heart-aching times, You are the One I can be certain of. Thank You for being a Sure Thing, for now and always. Let my mind be filled with You, and then I will know Your peace which is supernatural. Lord, I pray that You will strengthen me in this trial, and during it, I ask that You will cause my heart and my mind to continue to turn to You. Lord, don't let this hard time cause me to be bitter or despairing. Instead, let me come out of it on the other side with a stronger trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

This weekend went way too fast! Saturday am, we went to Emmetsburg to watch Beau's Show Choir! They received a 1! Yeah! They did a great job.
Saturday night we went to see where my little sister will be moving! Wow, what a great place, did I mention, she could watch all her nieces and nephews and still have an open bedroom! The house is huge! Great grove, place for animals, and a beautiful scenery! I am so excited for her. Although, us sisters are going to have to get handy with a paint brush!

Have a fantastic week!

Praying for Caleb....Families that are adopting....Praising God for our Family.....Families who are/have met their children through adoption.. God is good!

What God has done for Me Lately!

Every morning I receive a devotional sent to my email! I had to share this one...some really hit home. Especially with our adoption with Marcus. We are so blessed to be healthy, family, and the love of Jesus Christ, that we can share His word with others! We have put most of the "adoption" on the back burner. Don't get me wrong, Marcus is still part of our family, part of our prayers, and our daily talks. We just are trying not to obsess with the whole waiting.
There is a reason for everything, we are thankful God knows what is best for us.

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-has-god-done-for-me-lately.html

Have a great week, 2 more days till Valentines Day! Friday is Mark's parents anniversary. The adults are meeting for a nice dinner in Sioux Falls! :)

On another note, thought I would change the look to our blog! Baseball season is starting soon! Players report to spring training on Friday! I feel our adoption is like running around the bases!
It took awhile to get to 1st base, stole to 2nd...and while we were stuck in between 2nd and 3rd. Over Christmas Vacation we about stole home, but we got sent back to 3rd! Now we are in rain delay! Too bad it is going to last a couple months! Ugh!

Happy Valentine's Day!
God Bless You All!

Devotions

I just read an awesome devotions...check it out!

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/


Have a great weekend!

Pictures from Liberia

Good Morning!

I can not believe it is December 11 already! It is cold and breezy today. Our family vacation is sounding better every day! The kids are counting down the days till we fly out to the sunny beach in Florida! We are so spoiled!

Our family was praying and hoping Marcus would be home to take in the wonderful Florida vacation with all Mark's family. It would be too much for him now, if we get him home before Christmas. There are 31 Family members to get use too, it is overwhelming for anyone who sees us all running in the airport, but for a little guy home from Liberia, seeing all of us together, yikes!

Marcus is going to have such a new life here, toilets, running water, doors, windows, sinks, refridgerator, medical care and most of all food.

When we get a travel date, we are planning on asking for donations for the Orphanage. The need is so great for medical supplies and money for food. Here are a few pictures.

Picture of the children at school in Liberia. We think the children

without uniforms are children who live in the orphanage.

We have our idea of sometime in January to travel. I can not imagine coming from 80* weather, humid to Iowa that has snow, wind and gusts that takes your breath away. Poor little guy.

We are so close, I am starting to think this just might happen!

The outside of the Orphanage!

The entrance of the Orphanage!

We Praise God for the safety of Pastor Aaron, Nick and Troy as they made it home from Monrovia! Pastor Aaron and Nick got to spend some time at the orphanage and time with our little Marcus.

We have not had a chance to sit and talk with them and see video taken yet. Yesterday we received the disk with pictures on it! I would love to show you pictures, I am waiting until Marcus is paper ready ours!

Saturday night we ate at Tophers and bumped into Pastor Aaron and his Family. Brynn of course said "did you see my little brother?" Pastor Aaron was proud to "yes and do you know what his favorite food is?" I was a bit worried, it is eggs! Sounds like Marcus and his sister will get along just fine!

I don't know who is more excited to talk with them, Mark, the boys or myself!!

We have been keeping busy here. I am trying to get the Soup Supper printed out, our printed is on the blink.

Sent out Christmas cards for all the College students in our church. I would love to send our cards but I am waiting for Marcus to be home to send them out! Getting Christmas decorations out, trying and praying to get the laundry room caught up for a day! Ugh!'

Brynn had dance and ice skating lessons last night. The oldest boys went to the basketball game. When it is this cold outside it is such a treat to stay home.

Today I am going to make a meal for my cousin who lost his son in a car accident. My heart breaks for him and his family. Jon was such a spirited young man, who always had a huge smile and a hello where ever he was. Jon was always a giver, and he was an organ donor. His heart is still pumping somewhere and we pray for the family who received his heart, kidney, pancreas and other organs.

During this time of the year, you always think about those who are less fortunate than us. I see these pictures of the children in Liberia, couples who lost their children in accidents, those facing cancer, those who lost jobs, those waiting to bring their son or daughter home, the Service Men and Women who are in the Military, families who can not be together for the Holiday's or who do not have families. I encourage you all to pray for them. Maybe a card or a phone call can make their day a bit brighter!

I better get back to getting the soup supper list done, and the laundry!

God Bless You All!

Liberian Court, here comes Trokon! :)

This is a huge week for us and the Gentlemen working for us in Liberia!

Trokon, and the children at the Orphanage!

Trokon, and another gentleman, Larmouth are getting papers together and going

to court! :) We have been emailing each other, and I would love it if all my readers couldalso pray for these 2 men! Prayer is so important, and to reach out to those around the world! Mark and I can not wait to give this man a great big Iowa hug!!

Rice arriving, look how happy the children are!

As we anticipate going to Liberia, I asked Trokon, "what is needed in the orphanages?" Of course I was thinking activities for the children. I wrote that I picked up some soccer balls to take over. He replied, "food and medical supplies!" Although I am going to take some undies for the little guy running around with out a pant on! :) I am in awe of how we are so blessed, food of abundance, medical clinics, a new one in Sioux Center for those who can not afford it, and materialistic stuff. I am not sure how to go about getting medical supplies to take over there. Any suggestions, please comment! Trying to stay calm, in regarding our I-171a. We need that to arrive to finalize some paper work in Liberia.

As for a name for Marcus, we are going to name him
Blake Marcus on his BC, we will see how attatched he is to Marcus and go from there!

When we pray, B4, prays "Lord be with Mickus, Marcus or Blake, whatever his name is just bring my brother home!" I do like Marcus, and so does hubby! Wonder why? :)

Perfect B Day!

It turned out to be a perfect day to celebrate! :)

DH, ended up having the afternoon off, because of the rain! I don't remember the last time we spent a Monday together on my BDay! I knew Fireproof was showing at 12:40pm, so we managed to get B4 to the bus early and we made it in time!! In the mean time DH talked to the our Agency about some things! The good news is New Horizon's is all set and licenced in Liberia! WoooHOO! Now we wait for Trokon to get his licenced and be the connection down there for our agency!! Prayers answered! So we were so thankful God has worked each little step!! We did get an email, that Marcus did not get his stuff we sent! Now our prayer request is, that Trokon gets licenced in Liberia! And maybe a few pictures of M getting his stuff!

Fireproof, the movie theatre was full, for a 12:40 movie on a Monday, although it is a holiday, it was so great to see so many couples there! We recommend this movie no matter where you are at in your life! It is done, on Thursday in Sioux Falls, but it will be in SCenter this coming weekend!

After the movie we went to Red Lobster, but due to a power outage of some sort, we went to Joey's! We had awesome appetizers!! Than we grabbed a Dairy Queen cake!

DH just headed to church for Consistory Meeting, while we order some pizza, and eat ice cream cake! Perfect evening to sit and watch Dancing With the Stars!!

I just ordered a cool necklace!!

So I am going to put the check in the mail, and count it as a blessing to be able to spend the day with my DH and children!

Fall Weather

Isn't this time of year just beautiful! I love the colors of fall, the fields are all changing color, it is cooler in the evenings, you can even have the windows open at night. That is only if the breeze is from the right way.

Tonight we have a JV football game, of course B1 is still on crutches. 2 weeks and 5 days and counting until he is done with them. Oh, he would just love to put that jersey and pads on and jump right in. He just has to wait! That has become a very used word in our house.

Tomorrow, B2 has his 7th grade football game! Oh, I can't wait!! 1st football game with the whole school thing and it is against friends from church. It should be very exciting!! I am sure he will be all wound up tonight and especially in the morning.

As you can tell, we got our school pictures back! It is so great to see how much they have changed over the year!

Far as the adoption: we are inching, forward! This week, we are just praying for the adoption agency to registered!

We had a wonderful Sunday, Church was awesome, with our Pastor back, we are so thankful for Pastor Mark and his sermons!

The guys were very disappointed the Chicago Bears lost. :(

We received a couple pictures of Marcus, B4 studies them, looking at his eyes, "oh, mom he looks sad," "oh, look at his dirty face, what did he eat?" "mom, why is he brown?". We had a great conversation, between a mom and a 5 year old, about how God makes everyone different, different countries. Last week I bought the book, Shaoey and Dot, by Steven Curtis & Mary Beth Chapman. We have read that quite a bit!

God is good, and we praise Him for his goodness, His love and most of all Jesus Christ!

Have a terrific Week!

Prayers

I have been reading, searching for those who are/have also adopted from Liberia. I have found ladies, Rachel, Angel and Kami that I have been in touch with. Rachel and Angel have been blessed children from Liberia, and Kami is in the process.
What is so nice about Ethiopia is that road there has been traveled and documented so well, with wonderfully organization. It has a timeline of how it all works. The support system is fantastic.
With our journey, its been traveled but with so much destruction with the war has torn this country apart. Now with trying to rebuild, it is taking quite a bit of time.
With receiving the medical report, we read that this little 2 year old is about 18-19 pounds. It excites me to think of the good Iowa beef we have in the freezer, milk, and veggies what that will do to this little boy.
I do admit getting bummed w/o knowing the process, I want a time line...What's next! In Liberia, there is no time line! Angel wrote me back saying this could take 3 months to a year before we get M home!
DH and I talked last night about how we always go to God in prayer when we have questions, doubts or praise. This week we praise God that he answered our prayers with the medical report.
I bought this little green book from the christian book store, by Beth Moore,

May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with Joy!

Colossians 1:11

We learn to be victorious only by surrendering our lives completely to the Spirit of God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder!

I know I need to turn more to God and listen to what He has planned and know in His time the process will be shown! Maybe through this blog, we can connect with others that are going to Liberia? Have been to Liberia to tells us what and what not to do.