Thoughts....

 I have been thinking about why I have this blog, and what the main purpose of the blog is.
  1) Let of Family and Friends know what was happening on our Adoption Journey.
  2) Share our Faith of Jesus Christ to others.
  3) Help others who are being nudged by the Holy Spirit to adopt!
  4) Prayer Requests
 
Our journey has been none of simple, quick or easy.. It has been emotional right from the beginning.  One would think that when God brings it to you, all will go easy!! Not true.... although we see God's hand through our journey yet today. Our Family had quite a time with our agency at the very beginning and today have left us in a boat wondering if we should paddle or just float.  Some of our family members thought we were crazy, and where not supportive and today....they have a new love for adoptions and other cultures.

 Watching other  journeys of other adoptions who buzz through the system with no problems. (How does that happen?) Although, I am so happy and praise God when some couples who long for being a parent happens quickly brings so much joy to my heart!!
If we never started our journey 4 1/2 years ago, we would of never had the blessing of Brody.  Brody has brought so much joy, love and awareness of the need in our country.  Traveling to  MS and meeting Ms R, and learning about open adoption has opened our eyes.

Watching the older boys with Brody has been so wonderful, and the way they love Brody is the coolest part of being a parent!!!  When Beau or Benjamin drive up, his expressions are so funny!  What would we do with out our little brown eyed boy?  Watching our children grow up during the these past years not only in their faith, but the awareness of needs all over the world...adoption is part of their lives. Our Journey to Marcus is confusing, frustrating, and is left with so many unanswered questions.  Marcus is part of our Family even in Liberia!  We love him, pray for him and when we have an opportunity we send him stuff.  There are family's who are is the same boat as us.  Waiting for Liberia.....as of now adoptions of special needs children are proceeding.  Our hearts break, knowing Marcus is thinking we are coming to get him any day. Our paper work has expired.....and most of the fees that have been paid are somewhere.  It is in God's hands....I do find myself wondering "why God and what is the plan.?"  I find the hardest part is telling your children, it is all in God's hands, and let it be there!

Our Family has met amazing, christian Family's through Katelyn's Fund.  Their prayer support was a huge blessing!

We are not alone, there is a special Family who has been waiting for over 6 years for 2 beautiful children, who continue to need prayers, for the Guatemalan government to please let them be united with their forever family!

This past week a young couple from our area traveled to the east coast to meet their Baby Girl! God is good!

Most likely this will be the last post, and I am going to close up this blog.
Thank You for the prayers, and maybe God's will be to start up when/if Liberia!!




“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 

Someone Special...

I would like you to meet someone very special.

Katelyn Sandbulte

 Here is a little information. Mark's Uncle Milton was an amazing God fearing man.  He married Thelma, and Thelma was adopted. Back than adoption was a huge step of faith also, not knowing the plans God has for the Family. There was not much medical history, no tests done and not much information about the birth parents or  awareness of diseases that affect mothers.  Some years later, Thelma has signs of ms or something that affects the daily tasks of raising a large family. Huntington's Disease is what Thelma and her biological mother had.   This took Aunt Thelma life at an early age. Thelma and Milton where blessed with 8 beautiful children. 3 of the children do not have the disease, and will not pass the disease down.  If you have the disease, you have a 50/50 chance. The other 5 out of have already are in heaven, cousins Mike, Connie, Vic, Keith and Cheryl! Mike's oldest son Jeff and Vic's oldest son both have enter the gates of heaven also because of Huntington's.  (both had the juvenile form)   Today Chris,(Connie's son)  is struggling in the local nursing home home is in his early 30's, and Niki who is married, also struggling and  Katelyn is Jeff's daughter of one the children who has this awful debilitating disease. Katelyn is the 4rd generation going through this, seeing and knowing what is happening and what her future holds! So scary for a 20 year old, when all your friends are planning their future and out having fun! The pain of the hurt for this entire Family has been huge, and to see and let go is unfathomable! 

 Please take time to pray for Katelyn, her Family, Chris, Niki and their families!
 The auction coming up, if you live in the NW Iowa come and join us for waffles on Oct. 22!

She is a sweet girl, who is struggling along with her Family!  Who is in need of God's love to fill her and others heart, as well as financial help, so she can continue to live at home with her Family!

Isaiah 40:28-31  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,   the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint,   and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;   they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;   they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10  fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Wow, and answered prayer for request!

I am so praising God for answered prayers for Jon, Liz and David!

http://jonlizmoss.blogspot.com/

Our Little Miracle

I can hardly believe Brody will be 7 months old Saturday!  To see him grow and learn is so much fun! I am not sure who is having the most fun when you have 3 big brothers, 1 sister, Mom and Dad cheering you on! Brody is now crawling all over! Sometimes his body goes faster than his arms!  He is starting to say, Mama, Dada, Beau and last night Mark got him to do "hi da!"  It is so awesome to see the his face when the kids come home from school!! Oh he loves his big brothers and Brynn!   He will be busy doing something in the high chair and his arms start doing so big, of course that makes everyone giggle and cheer, which he loves.

He loves cords, remote controls and cell phones. It does not help his big brothers get on the floor and show him the cell phone and he starts a crawlin faster and faster towards them.  He is starting to notice so much around him! To see his big brown eyes lighten up, is such a blessing! He is such a blessing to our family! Brody is finally sleeping through the night! Whew....took a few nights of crying, but he is more rested and now we have to master a good nap time!  2 teeth are trying to urge their way up, so he is trying to bite and chew on anything!

I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

We are reminded every day, if Marcus would of came home when he was suppose to, we would of never received this little miracle.  Yes, Brody is our little Miracle! We are got all the finalization paper work sent in and now we wait for the day in court to say Brody is paper worthy part of our Family!

~We still do not hear or read anything from Liberia!! Our family asks for prayers, for Marcus and the Liberian Government, and don't forget our Agency! 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

There are so many Family's who are facing cancer in our area.

~Please pray for: Sondra as she continues chemo and radiation.

~Warren as he has surgery next week to remove a growth in the bladder.

~Rodney our SW brother in law who has been receiving treatments.       

~Monica who is suffering with crones flare up and surgery that set her back b/c a leak, and was septic.

~Prayers for a family waiting to get word to travel to ET

to be united with their son, with the ET government changing rules, it is scary!

 Prayers for the family who is praying their 2 home from GuatemalaPrayers for Samaritan's Purse and Joni as they are having a huge crusade in Monrovia! Prayers that many may take a stand and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour!

Prayers for Birth Mom's

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:22

PRAISE:

:) Praise for 2 Family's who are home, (one on the way home) in our area that have been blessed

with little ET girls, and are welcomed home to big brothers!

:) Praise for a family who where blessed with the gift of adoption....Charlie Jace! Praying that your paper work goes fast so you can return home to you family!! Congratulations.

 "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8



STATE BASKETBALL....

As I am busy trying to prepare for Beau's graduation, I ran across these pictures of Beau and his class.  Saturday night, the BH Comets won their last game to qualify the team for State Basketball. It was an emotional evening, packed gym, playing a team who's team mate was in an accident and recovering in a hospital in Colorado.  Both teams playing....playing as a team who has a higher FAITH. Faith that God will provide strength and healing!  I know both school are public/community, and the shirts on the Woodbury team had FAITH on the back of their shirts, and our school is making braclets in honor of Sondra with FAITH!

Parade of posters..this year these young boy are now young men are going to state to play Basketball!




Here is a picture of Beau's class...So fun to see their dream come true!

Please pray for our Basketball Coaches wife Sondra, and the Family! As Bill is preparing for state basketball Sondra is still recovering from brain surgery in the hospital yet, while her oldest son will get to play his first state basketball game, while she is waiting to start radiation. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sondrafrancis

God Bless the Comets, that we can show our FAITH on the court and off!
Prayer is the glue that holds us all together!!

Our Birthday Boys!



Benjamin's 15th Birthday!



Beau checking out his new little brother Benjamin, 15 years ago!

Benjamin and Bradyn

The cutest little boys!

Until this little boy came home!

Brody...

February is a busy month of Birthday's!

Benjamin turned 15 on the 9th, and now Bradyn's birthday is Saturday!!
I am reminded daily of turning 13, and how he is going to be a teenager!
For Benjamin's birthday, he chose to go to Sioux Falls, and see a movie,
eat at Texas Roadhouse, and shopping for a pair of cowboy boots with
the money he has been saving and with birthday money, he was ready to pick out a pair!


Bradyn, has a list for his Bday, plus colored pictures he printed out on the computer!!
He has been telling me what I need to bake for "comet time", so he can celebrate with his class!


Brody has been up quite abit at night! Yawn! Last night was every 2 hours!! He hears us coming up to the crib, and he stops crying and starts smiling!! I know he is coming down with a cold, coughing, a bit of a runny nose and sneezing! Tomorrow night will be our last home study visit, and we can finalize in April!! It is exciting to see how much he has grown, and how God has blessed our Family!
 Well, time to rock a bye!!

Please continue to pray for Sondra, her 4 sons and husband!!

Praying for some family's who are over in ET, picking their precious daughter up!

Many Blessings to you all!

Prayer Requests...

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." Psalm 10:17, "

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 18:2a

Today is a snow day, no school, all activities are called off, due to the 5-8 inches of snow that has fallen! Mark and I had lunch with Joni who is preparing to leave to go back to Liberia, and do God's work! Samaritan's Purse is so blessed to have her part of their team! We put together a zip lock baggie of stuff for Marcus!

I know there are so many prayers needed and I am going to just write some, that the more prayers the better!

Prayers for Cheryl, who had a mastectomy, will have additional tests on her lymph nodes and now has a large tumor (usually almost always nonmalignant.) in my pituitary gland.

Prayers for Faith, who also receiving treatments for cancer. She just lost her husband, and struggles also with ms.

Prayers for a gal who is from Liberia, who heart needs to soften as she meets a wonderful Family! May God fill her heart, and give guidance to this Family!

Prayers for a Family who is waiting for their 2 children in Guatemala to come home! Soften the Guatemalan Government, please Lord!! It has been to long and so hard on the family waiting!

http://prayingthemhome.blogspot.com/
Prayers for a little boy, waiting for his forever family to finalize his adoption!

Prayers for children waiting in Foster Care

Prayers for Family's who are waiting for "the" call.

Prayers for Adoption Agency's

Prayers for Liberia and all the children in waiting

Prayers for Joni as she travels back to Liberia and prayers for Samaritan's Purse

Prayers for safety with all the snow

Prayers for the Service Men & Women and the Family's at home!

Prayers for a dear friend who's daughter engagement has been called off. Broken hearts and broken dreams.

Praise for our healthy Brody, he is weighing over 15 pounds, and all the love he has received!

Praise for softened hearts in our Family! God is good!

Prayers for Caleb, who was suppose to have a kidney transplant this week, but due to blood transfussions this little miracle is waiting! You can check this couragious little boy here:

Prayers for our past neighbor lady when we lived in town, Helen who is also waiting for a liver transplant.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/helendegroot
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calebsybesma

A Wow Service!

Yesterday we had the privilege of going to a Katelyn's Fund Celebration. In honor of Orphan Sunday and 5 years of Katelyn's Fund, we had a WOW service! Stephanie Fast, shares her story of, being born in South Korea, being abandoned, abused, and survival as a child! She shared life as a child on the streets, trying to find her mother who put her on a train, food, shelter and a family! God spared her life, and brought her a family, and how she recovered from her life of of abandonment to being a child, who was adopted twice! Once by God and the other by her parents!! Brynn was listening because she asked me if she could be adopted twice!! If you have time, please check out her site!! God Bless You Stephanie!

http://stephaniefast.org/

Thank You Katelyn's Fund for the awesome service! It was wonderful to sit and talk to other family's who are also in the process of adopting and have adopted!!

Talked to 2 Family's who are traveling in the next week for their 1st trip to Ethiopia to see their beautiful little girls! So exciting to see their faces talk about the the little girls!

Bridge of Hope Church is in Liberia working with another Orphanage!! To see how churches are pulling together, making a difference in the lives of the children! Nick is going to go visit Marcus!! We are so excited, Marcus will learn he is a big brother! Sent a small little Ziploc baggie of pictures, Tylenol, band aids, ointments, outfit, and of course some new undies!

Prayer Requests:
~Terry & Brenda and Sons
~Brian & Natasha and Sons
~Rod & Dawn and Family waiting for Guatemala to process and unite a family who have been waiting for 5 years to bring home their children!
~Bridge of Hope Church has a group in Liberia, here is a link to their blog! http://www.onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/
~Joni Byker as she prepares to fly back for Christmas
~Marcus :) Our sweet little boy in Liberia! Praying that someday God will open the doors of Liberia so you can join our Family!

Blessings of Life!

What a day! Today I got to sleep in while Mark hung out with Brynn and Bradyn! We went to CiCi's pizza for lunch and went to a movie! We met Ms. R and I dropped Mark, Brynn and Bradyn off at the motel. Ms. R and I went to check out the hospital and where Baby B we be born! Had a chance to visit with a nurse about when Ms R is scheduled for! They have no record of Monday! It showed th 26th. Crazy part is the surgeon who is doing the csection Mr R has never seen him and not the Dr she usually sees! So do we take off tomorrow morning or see what Monday brings? So hard to know what to do! Ms R is getting so miserable! Prayers for direction for us would be wonderful!
Hattiesburg has the most beautiful people and are very friendly! The hotel is great! Going to get some sleep! Missing Beau and Benjamin!!! So thankful for cell phones!!
God Bless you all!

Friday the 13th!

When I received the text the baby was going to be born on the 13th, my heart jumped and I praised God, not on is it my Dad's birthday, I have a birthday on a 13th as well as my best friend! Lucky number, right?
Well, no baby today. I am not sure where our little Mississippi Girl got the 13th from, but now we are told Monday the 16th! We are a bit nervous and curious if this will be the day or not! You find yourself asking questions, should of, would of but we can not do that, it is what it is!
This morning we had a great meeting with Social Worker that we have been in contact with! The southern accent here is amazing! Brynn is thinking she can do it quite well! The SW, Mark, Brynn, Bradyn and myself met Ms.R for lunch at the Olive Garden. We had a wonderful lunch talked about the expectations, and how Monday will go! We asked for proof of some sort of the scheduled CSection for Monday. Needless to say, the Dr's are out of the office on Friday's by 3, so we have no proof! URG!
It is hard to not be upset, confused, nervous and out of sorts. We had our minds that today was the day, and now Monday(LORD willing)!
I want to tell our Friends and Family thank you so much for the prayers and the text messages, and emails! Mark spent time on the phone with our SW's(Deanne and Heidi) and Pastor Mark! I don't know what we would do with out their kind words, encouragement and love to us!
We are waiting till Monday to see if this will be the day. In the mean time maybe Ms. R will go into labor on her own and we won't have to wait and see!
My pregnancies where not rosie, but this is far from rosie by any means!
Tomorrow we are going to have some fun! Hopefully we will be all caught up on sleep! Brynn told me I have Grandma eyes! I have my Grandmother's puffy eyes!

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a

Thanks for checking in!
Thanks for praying and continuing to uplift us in prayer!

Off to Mississippi

This afternoon we are off to Mississippi! Since March, our Family has been not only praying for Marcus in Liberia, but also a very special young lady, Ms. R.
"R" and I have been talking and texting since our first talk with the social worker in MS!
I have hesitated to type and share, because so much can happen! Our hearts are in Liberia and now MS! So much can happen!


Our Family is continuing to wait for Marcus and the government to reopen! Our Family has talked about when Marcus will ever come home, we are not sure, but we are not giving up on him. Like Benjamin says, "Marcus is my brother!" Not only is and was Marcus' 4th birthday on Monday, a nephew's yesterday, and Friday is my Dad's but Lord willing Baby B will also be on Friday!
I ask for prayers as we drive south, for Ms. R, Dr's, and the much paper work to be efficient and do I dare to say quick? Tomorrow we will be our Social Worker and R and spend time together, getting to know each other face to face! I can hardly believe the day is this close. School starts next week Thursday and we decided to take the 2 youngest ones with. Beau and Benjamin both have high school football, and need to stay back. I feel horrible about leaving them, but God is in control of all things!
Sunday is Jacoby's baptism, and we will be in MS! It will be hard to be so far away and not with my sister and family during this exciting day for them. I am reminded that this is all in God's hands, and He is in control! Jacoby, we love you and pray God's abundant blessings on You!
It is crazy how we started this journey, (defiantly crazy) praying for the child(baby) God had in store for our family! Those who I have told that we are adopting a baby, it is funny the faces or questions we get. Yes we know the possibility of maybe having 6 children someday! I can not think of anything better than having 6 miracles!
I want to thank some very special friends who have been by our side! Not only your prayers, your encouragement, words of love! God is my Rock, but to lean on those during the crazy times is so amazing! God has blessed me tremendously with awesome family and friends!

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10a

So many Bible verses have popped out at me in the past 4 years...

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always…So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine." 1 Chronicles 16:11, 18

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

I will post more from MS!!

God Blessings from our House to Yours...

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. Jeremiah 29:11

Welcome to the Jungle

Can you tell, these 2 are cousin's??
Beau and Kass showing how talented they really are!?




Grand March
A classmate parents' in Beau's class owns a business that makes these awesome vinyl signs. The class had fantastic, huge pictures hanging all over the gym. Made decorating so much easier! It was beautiful!













Brynn and her big brother Beau!











Benjamin, Beau, Mark and Bradyn
"The Boys" Brynn and I usually call them all!












Cousin's-Joseph, Kassidy and Beau
All had prom the same night!
















Paula, Kassidy, Beau and Me
I think they both look stunning..Kass and Beau! :)
All I know is, after seeing how gorgeous all the girls looked, the dresses, hair, nails, oh and the shoes, the tux we rented, was A LOT cheaper than what the girl's parents paid! Beau had lots of fun, after prom is always a blast! Thanks to all the BH parents who did so much work, and those who donated to the After Prom, Thanks, the kids had a wonderful time, and the gifts are appreciated!

We are continuing to pray for Rod, Dawn and Family, as they have to say, see you soon to their..waiting kiddo's in Guatemala. Praying that the Guatemalan Government will sign the papers, so their family can be complete and all under one roof. Going on 5 years, is too long! I can not imagine how a mother and father's heart breaks, to leave them beautiful faces and hearts..
WE are keeping the faith with our little guy in Liberia..Praying that our case will be allowed to continued!!! WE serve a great big God, and He holds us in His Hands!!!

Pray, Pray, Pray!!!

I just pulled this up from the Joint Council page!
Here is the link!
http://www.jcics.org/Liberia.htm

April 7, 2010 - Update from the Department of State
The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has been informed by the Government of Liberia that it will issue exit clearances, on a case-by-case basis, to children whose full and final adoption had been completed prior to January 26, 2009 and approved by Liberia’s Ad-hoc Central Adoption Authority.
Prospective adoptive parents who believe their case might fall into this category should contact the Consular Section at adoptionsmonrovia@state.gov to discuss next steps in the visa process and any gaps in their adoption file. Additionally, the Government of Liberia is requiring that all adoptive parents appear personally for the exit clearance interview. Processing the visa and obtaining the exit clearance takes about a week of time, but adoptive parents are advised to purchase open-ended return tickets, as there is no guarantee as to how quickly the exit clearance can be obtained.
Prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers are reminded that a consular officer is required, by law, to complete a For I-604 (determination of orphan status) before issuing a visa in all IR-3 and IR-4 adoption cases. In some cases, this may require only a conversation with the birth parent, but in others it may require a full field investigation, possibly lasting several weeks. Since verifying the parent-child relationships in Liberia is difficult, we also expect that in most cases where the child was relinquished by the birth parent, DNA testing will be recommended in order to establish a blood relationship between the adopted child and claimed birth parent(s).

Please continue to monitor adoption.state.gov for updated information



I (we as a family) are asking, ok, begging for prayers, that we may fall in this area!! My heart is breaking more every day, as we wait, and wait! Oh, we were so close, and now we are so far away!! Please pray for those who decide, and that God will move what needs to be done, and if not I ask for prayers for our broken hearts!

Look what my daily devotional had for scripture!
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13




Marcus excited for the new Children's Bible we sent with Joni!

Praying them Home!

I am asking for prayers for a family who have been praying their children home from Guatemala going on 5 years. Rod & Dawn are in Guatemala as I type, and I encourage everyone who reads this blog to please pray for the mountains to be moved and hearts to be softened! I can not imagine the joy Rod & Dawn are bringing to R & J! Living apart from your own sibling in different places! Just waiting 2 years for Marcus is heart wrenching, yet you know it is God's plan, but you find yourself asking "why" would God do this?? Someday I pray we can answer that question!
You can follow their journey here!

http://prayingthemhome.blogspot.com/

You can also go to Katelyn's Fund and find their blog under Guatemala or Haiti!

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
2 Samuel 22:33

We received beautiful pictures from Joni of Marcus!! I think he is the cutest Liberian Boy! Here is Joni & Marcus!

Joni will always be a part of his life(I would think Joni's Family too)!

Love Is Patient

Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.

It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of
wrongs.
Love does not delight
in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:4-6

These last couple weeks have been tough!
We know this is all in God's hands, and also in God's timing!
Really wondering, what is God trying to tell us?? I don't
want a pity party for our family! This road is just a bumpy,
twist and turns kind of journey! It is good for us to feel sad,
mad and reexamine our hearts! We will be just fine, and God is
by our side! Sunday Morning we had Youth Sunday in church!
What an awesome service!! One part of the service the song "I will Rise"
was played and all the Kids had card board, and wrote on each side, what they're
worry, sin or problem was and on the other side, what to do about it.
What a bunch of awesome, honest kids!! Ton's of tears where shed through
the whole church! Our Niece, Nephew and Beau had tons of honesty, and brought
me to tears. God is so awesome in their lives, and such an awesome challenge to us parents/family to press on and lean on God!


But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lifts up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
Selah
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
Psalm 3:3-5

Signs of spring are around us! The SUN is shining!
Just seen a robin on top of our evergreen tree!
There is even grass under all that snow!! :)



Yesterday Brynn had no school, b/c of Kindergarten Round Up!
We went and had some fun with her cousin at Color Me Mine!!

:)

This is God's promise for us all!
"'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.'"
Jeremiah 29:11

As we all wait on the Lord, I ask you to pray for those who are all waiting!
Waiting for answers, waiting for results, waiting for so many things!
God hears our prayers, and it is such a good reminder to leave it at God's
feet, for He stays up all day and night and cares for us all!
Have a Blessed Week!

Take Time to Pray for Liberia!

Please take time to sign this petition! Not everyone is called to adopt, God wants us all to pray, encourage and reach out to those who need a helping hand.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/families-for-orphans.html

A devastating story out of California, about a family who has adopted children from Liberia. This story has reached Liberia and is causing more trauma to the adoption process!
I ask that you please continue to pray for Liberia and all those who make the decisions regarding adoptions. Pray for his family is California! Not sure of any details, all I know is my heart is broke for he children, and the parents.

Please take time and read through a Blogger Friend Sonya! God has blessed me tremendously with her blog! God has given her a gift of writing, and sharing her love of the Lord with others!! Her family is currently waiting for a son in Liberia also, and has adopted also!
http://respondinginfaith.wordpress.com/

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16b

God is Good!

This week we got word that our paper work has only one step left! We need prayers for the Liberian Government, President Ellen Sirleaf to proceed with the adoptions that where in process!! Little M and the other children are missing so much! Every holiday, birthday, Sunday and the fun times at home! I know our family can't wait for M to come home, what an adjustment it will be for him. The longer it takes the harder it will be for M and all the other children. I encourage you to all pray earnestly for the Liberian Government to feel the prayers and stir their hearts to get moving!!
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16b


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Sunday, we had lots of wind, and snow. We heard on the radio that the morning service was cancelled, we were all ready, so we went ahead and decided to go to church with my parents. Half way to SC, the radio said there was an error and that church was still on! Woops, someone called in and just cancelled! The funny part is, the same thing happened at night! Not sure who is doing the calling, but sure causes tons of confusion! Here is some amazing pictures of all the snow in our backyard! Our above ground pool, is covered!







Had the opportunity to visit with other adoptive family's this past week! These 4 family's have all adopted from Ethiopia! We celebrated Lisa's birthday with cake, pizza and great conversation as well as a game of Candy Land, wiping up spit, encouragement and laughing at the children playing! No matter, what part of the adoption journey your on, it is good to sit and talk! Thanks for having us Lisa, and Happy Birthday!






Poor Miss Brynn had her 4th set of tubes in her ears on Friday!! She is doing amazing! She was so excited to get them in. I can about imagine how wonderful it is to be able to hear everything! Dr. K said she has been hearing as if we plug our ears!

Some exciting news with our Katelyn's Fund!!
2 Family's were blessed!!
Congratulation's Jim & DeAnn, Daniel and Baby Benjamin!
http://www.timmermansadoption.blogspot.com/
This weekend there was a basketball tourney and bake sale to help with expenses!! What a great turn out for the family! It was so special to see them all walk into the tourney, with their little miracle! Benjamin is absolutely beautiful, and big brother is just as cute!
The other couple I sat by at the last Katelyn's fund, they were blessed with a baby girl! Congratulations!!

"Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations." Psalm 100:4b-5


Mark and I had lunch with Brian and Donna this week, they're missionaries, and have been gone for half a year and were able to come home and celebrate the birth of their 1st Grandchild! Congratulations Grandpa & Grandma! It was excited hearing about all the travels!
http://renes-travels.blogspot.com/

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

Next week we have to update our home study again!! It is a great chance to visit with our Social Worker! We wish our original SW could come, but the distance is too far, but we are excited to have "H" come! Benjamin has to get finger printed since he is 14! Here is a fun picture of Benjamin on his birthday with Grandpa and Grandma!







I can't believe Bradyn turns 12 next week!
Tomorrow my sisters are coming to SC and we are going out for lunch and than celebrate Benjamin, Jason, Jesse and Bradyn's Birthday's with cake at my parents!! I can wait to see them all!!

Here is some fun photo's Benjamin took for his art class! I somehow misplaced or someone accidentally borrowed it out of our suburban, and I miss my good camera! Looks like we are going to have to replace it! Thankfully I have my "old" one!

Daily Devotions....Prayer Request!

Today is an awesome Daily Devotion...

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/

This is the beginning verse for today!

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23:3b

What beautiful words, and so powerful! Here is a prayer if you don't have time to check out the devotion.

Dear Lord, please show me Your will for my life.

Dear Lord, please let me know what direction I should go.

Dear Lord, I only want what You want. I just wish I knew what that is.

I don't think I could say it any better! It is Christmas Season! I love it! All the pretty lights, and the excitement of Christmas programs at school and church!! Brynn had her 1st school program last night!

This blogging, is to keep my family and updated, yet it is an awesome tool to ask for prayers!

I would ask for prayers for my Uncle & Aunt! Unfortunate events, has led to so much sadness, pain, heartache and questions. Praise God Aunt B is getting help. Prayer and God's faithfulness is so great, and their only comfort right now. Aunt B has 2 daughters, who are also hurt because of the actions. Please pray for the 4 of them, and for family and friends to wrap their arms of love around them!

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

Psalm 18:18

Blessing to All of You!

Grace is Sufficient!

School pictures....

BrynnBradyn

Benjamin

Beau

Beau's still playing football......:)

Beau is in there somewhere! What fun to have a winning season! God has been so good to the

team and we pray that it will continue! The weather has not been so nice! Needless to say, Mark and I are coughing, and coughing! Tomorrow nights game will be in the 60's ! :)

A friend is going through a treatments for thyroid cancer, and some ladies decided we needed to have a fun night out, with encouragement and uplifting her! The intention is to get her ready to be quiet in isolation.We had a Ugly Sweater Party, and had a wonderful evening for Jo. Please pray for her and her family.

2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

We have been hearing some rumblings about Liberia.....keep praying!

If you get a chance, check out Katelyn's fund Auction Friday night, and Sunday will be an awesome day of worship with other fellow adoptive parents! I am really excited to see the Steven Curtis Chapman's Orphan Sunday!

Blessing's!

A Morning Prayer....

A great morning devotional for you all! Check it out!

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/

Thursday, wow, here we go..football for Ben tonight, (it is raining..wonder if they will play(it is homecoming this week-will they take a chance of messing with the football field?).
Beau homecoming football game Friday Night! Go NIGHTHAWKS!
Bradyn football game on Saturday.
Having a "Bachelorette Party" Saturday night for my little sister! I am excited to meet her friends! Having dinner, and an hour shower! Should be a lot of fun! I can't wait to see (and taste) the cake! The decorator is very talented and I wanted it to be a nice/pretty cake. (We are just getting to old for the typical bachelorette cake!) Decided to have it at a hotel, being us sisters live an hour away from her friends, this was the best option. Maybe Mark will come up with the kids! The hotel has a wonderful little water park inside!

Better get a moving to Bible Study!

PRAYERS NEEDED!

Praying constantly for God to OPEN the doors in Liberia!! The boys are joking around the Marcus will be Junior High when he makes it home!

Continuing to pray for those who really need God's hand to hold them in trials of life!
Mark's Uncle Kenny's bladder cancer is back! Please pray for this wonderful, kind, God fearing man! There is not enough words/to tell you how much of an impact Kenny has on others! Kenny is also the Grandfather to The VV family! http://katelynsfund.org/vanvoorst

Have a blessed day!