Tired of Waiting....

  Today as I read the devotional from the Proverbs 31....Tired of Waiting on God?

My mind finds me thinking, waiting, waiting, wow, more waiting.  I shouldn't complain, we have been so blessed, health, family, and God's protection.  What am I complaining about? Parts of me wish I didn't  think so often about the little guy in Liberia!  Times I wish God would answer me, whether we should keep pressing on, trying to keep positive for the kids,  if Marcus will ever come home! My heart breaks, when the kids ask, "do you ever think Marcus will come and live with us?" Brynn just asked Mark and I last night again.   The faith the kids have, is truly awesome!!  I know God has a plan, and we just have to hold on, and wait, to see HIS plan for our Family!!  We are not sure where we even stand with our agency, regarding adoptions in Liberia.  Frustrating, we never hear anything from them. No new good news?  No, I would think a little email, a note, "we haven't forgot about you and are continuing to pray for your family, Marcus and God' will to be done", WOW, would that help!  To know we have spent money on immunizations, passports, visas, and most of all immigration paper work.  Now we are coming up on the fact our immigration paper work is going to expire, and Beau will need to have the finger prints done also now, since he is over 18.  Mark and I have been blessed to see how well Marcus has improved since we received his referral.  Prayers have been so wonderful for this little boy!!  If we never where led to this special little guy, so many good has happened to his Orphanage, friends have been made, and special bonds!! As everything is in the air with Marcus' adoption, we covet your prayers for him and all those wonderful children waiting for homes all over the world!

 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”Isaiah 40:31


 Last week was my birthday, Mark and I went and seen Courageous!!  What a fantastic movie, about the responsibilities of Fathers. Not only you laugh, but the tears roll also.  After we grabbed ice cream at Culver's we stopped by and grabbed the dvd from  Nikkelle took of Marcus. To see how well he is doing is so good for us all here!! Marcus' smile, watching him play soccer and dance with friends was so good for the heart! Thanks Nikkelle!!! I am trying to find some used soccer uniforms to send to Liberia for some of the children who live with Marcus!!  The election in Liberia went well, if you have time, look at Joni's blog over on the right. The pictures are amazing!!!  Thanks Joni for sharing!!

We had a celebration this weekend, Bradyn made profession of faith at church Sunday!  What a great day! So proud of Bradyn and his faith, and comfort knowing Jesus is the only way!
I am not sure how long we will keep blogging, b/c I don't want it to keep holding our family in the "wait"!
God bless You All!
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

Blessing's and Prayers...

Made it down to Hattiesburg, MS last Wednesday. The social worker and Ms. R picked me up at the Jackson, MS airport! I am in awe of Ms. R's bravery and courage. They dropped me off at the hotel and got settled and Ms. R and her Mom picked me up and we went and had dinner! It was delightful to get to talk about Holiday's, Celebrations and days that what is important to they're family. Tomorrow morning we check in and prepare for Baby B!

1st Day of School....

It is hard to believe it is that time again!! School started today! Beau's last 1st day of High School! Beau is a Sr, Benjamin a freshman, Bradyn in 7th grade and Brynn is in 1st! All 3 guys are in the same school while Brynn travels to the neighboring town.

Brynn and Bradyn getting on the bus!

Beau and Benjamin leaving together!



To complete my morning to make it even more exciting!! Joni had a chance to go bring Marcus his Birthday wishes from his American Family!! Could this boy be any cuter!!!
How can you describe or even put in words the blessing Joni is to our family but to see Marcus' smile, God is so amazing! Thank YOU God for blessing us with Joni!! The pictures she sent to our family, is unbelievable, and to know, with the Lord's help, Marcus will be home, and to think, he will have a baby brother to come home to!
"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
Matthew 6:21



"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

I booked my flight to Jackson, MS yesterday! I will fly out next Wednesday and Lord willing(which I seen on the schedule myself)Baby B will be born on Thursday am!! Mark will than drive out after Beau's football game Friday night! I feel bad for missing Beau's first football game being a SR, but holding his baby brother will be worth it!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him…" Proverbs 3:5
Thanks again for all the prayers! Today I am so thankful for the 4 great kids we have been blessed with! Than to see how great Marcus is doing, and to think God has a little baby planned out in MS! God is good!!!
I am so excited to think about the possibility of having a house full of boys!! Brynn is has realized, "this is just a boys life in our house, Mom!" She is so excited to e a big sister! Lord willing...

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:27, 33

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!!

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!

Football Season...

Football just started with camps this week! It is hard to believe that we will be going to a 7th grade JHigh game, a Freshman game, and a Varsity! I do not understand the concept of football. I love baseball and know the game, but football no clue! So far Bradyn has a good bruise on his thigh! Beau and Benjamin go at the same time! Our boys are growing up! Here is a picture of the kids 4 years ago after one of Beau's freshman games. Mark enjoys this season so much, I on the other hand enjoy visiting other mom's!
Benjamin and Beau are both back from Power Connection and Jacksonville, Florida mission trip! Bradyn went to the Okoboji Bible Conference with Thomas! I am so grateful they got a chance this summer to experience life outside our house!(Good timing to miss out on the water!) This is a picture of Benjamin's power connection group!
Sunday Joni came to our church and did the children sermon! It was such a blessing to hear her speak on Operation Christmas Child! The shoe box ministry, Joni has the opportunity to be able to go and bring a gift to children who never get a gift! Most of all a chance to bring God's word into their hearts! I know Marcus received a box from the United Kingdom! How awesome is God to bring other countries together to bring the love of God to so many children!

Our area has been hit with too much rain! Needless to say... our basement as well as so many others who have never had water in the basement have water in the basement! Beau and Benjamin where both gone on church trips, so we had to pull carpet and through away all the pad! What a mess! My parents also had water which kept seeping in! Last night Mark and Shawn put a new hole for the sump pump in the basement to help stop the water from coming it! Here is a picture of water going over the road! I am just thankful our sewer did not come up like some poor family's!

I have been trying to capture pictures that explain our life to Marcus when he lives so far away. In Iowa you have to know how to eat corn on the cob, in fact Brynn mastered it with her front teeth out! They are just starting to come down, and she is so excited that she did manage to eat some this year!
Joni is heading back to Liberia...we packed a few things for Marcus and the others at the Orphanage! The basics such as band aids, vitamins, Tylenol, itch cream, pepto, pictures, some more pictures, clothes, underwear and Birthday wishes! Marcus turns 4 on the 9th! Found out the Orphanage has a dvd player! A family favorite is Toy Story so needless to say, Toy Story movie, new sheets, a small Buzz, and a Buzz Tshirt! I also packed Little Debbies snack cakes so Marcus can blow a candle and have cake! It is hard to believe this is our 3rd birthday with out him home! Praising God that Joni is able to bring birthday wishes and some fun to all those who are part of Marcus' life!! Joni, Thank You for being our Angel, and "Aunt" to Marcus! Our family's loves You for taking time for our little guy so far away! Most of all, for bringing God's love to all the children, women and men in Liberia!
It is going to be a crazy week up ahead! Preparing for school, football, and other stuff! This verse I need to remember this week!
Praying that God will bless you all!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Thought I would leave you a picture of a typical day with Benjamin!
Praying for Family's who are waiting who are discouraged, and searching for answers! Our family begain this journey 4 years ago sending in our application...whoa what a journey. As we continue to wait for our precious boy in Liberia, God has a plan, and this next week...I just ask for prayers for peace, safe traveling and for God's love to show through our Family!
"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other – each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other." Romans 15:15

Patience...

Our home is filled with craziness! Beau is in Jacksonville, Florida with the youth group doing mission work! I guess it is incredibly hot and humid, and to think we thought it was hot here in Iowa.
Benjamin is up in Minneapolis at a work camp with his youth group, and attending Power Connection! I am sure he is loving every minute, with all the new and exciting new young people he is meeting!
Bradyn has been going to work with Mark, and enjoying time with Dad, learning all new concrete techniques.
Brynn and I went for lunch in Sioux City with a couple of my sisters and went to see Ramona and Beezus! What a cute movie!
Sweet corn is ready, and trying to get some frozen! Mark did freeze some bags up last night!
I am busy packing a new bag for Marcus since Joni is home. He turns 4 in a couple weeks, so I am trying to put stuff for a Birthday Party in a suitcase for all those he loves at the Orphanage. I am wondering if little Debbie's travel well, so they can all have cupcakes?? Seeing his new pictures, hearing what a sweet, quiet, loving little boy Marcus is such a blessing! I long to hold him, and have him part of our family! Marcus is part of us already, prayer time....every prayer includes our little Liberian, doesn't matter who prays, Marcus is with us. We love You Marcus!!
Some days I feel like a broken record as we continue to pray for the Liberian Government. If only the Govt could see the hearts of the family's waiting.

I opened my email today and this is what it was on....

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11

Yup God is talking to me today!!! If you have time, read it!




I can't believe school is around the corner. Not looking forward to the hussle and bussle school brings. Beau starting his SR year, Benjamin a Freshman, Bradyn starting JH, and Brynn in 1st grade!

Preparing for the next weeks is filled with high emotions, it is exciting although we are cautious knowing anything can happen!
Praying that God will bless those who are waiting, domestically and internationally!

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!

Our Journey...

Our Adoption Journey!

"…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" Philippians 4:11b

August 2007, we sent off our application to proceed with Adoption! I have always had a thump in my heart for a child/baby needing a home! We all love babies/children. I worked at a Pizza Ranch in High School and a family came in with 4 boys, and a newly adopted daughter from Korea! Wow, what a beautiful site that has never left my mind.
Our Family became stronger looking for God's direction. "Where does God want us?" It took a while for our agency to jump on board with us. We had a reference letter(s), that made us sound too busy, to adopt. Our hearts broke, with the thought others didn't think we are capable to adopt. We questioned our family unit, what was wrong with it? As it turned out we examined our family and decided we wouldn't change a thing! This is what God wanted us to do, and this is how God intended our family to be.
I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you. John 14:18
Our Agency, decided to give us a chance and sent a wonderful Social Worker to our home to really dig in and check us out! After many visits, more reference letters, we were given the go ahead to adopt 1 child.
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord. P31:24
We decided to look into domestic adoption. In the beginning of our adoption journey, this is where we felt God wanted us, until we heard about the Liberia Program our agency was just starting. We were told it was a pretty quick process, and not a long wait. We prayed about it, and friends where starting the wait with Ethiopia, with the out look as a long wait! Our hearts melted in May 08, when we seen a picture and learned about this precious little boy, in an Orphanage, with huge brown eyes, a beautiful face! Our prayer was for God to write it on a wall, show us where you want us! This was our answer! We accepted this referral! Started all the paper work, waiting for pictures, updates, reading about attachment, everything we could find out about Liberia!!
November of 08, it came to our attention a Church Group was going to Liberia to do mission work! Excitement filled our hearts, as we put a package together for our little boy. The group arrived in Liberia, only to find they were driving past the orphanage every day! They stopped and met this amazing little boy, took pictures, video, and spent time with Marcus. God had a plan, and of all the places a church from a neighboring town, and to know these Godly men, was just a testament of God's Divine plan!
Since than we have been blessed to have others who visited their "future children" stop and visit Marcus and bring vitamins, clothing, toys, birthday package, and pictures for us! Our Family has emailed and followed other fellow adoptive families who also are waiting for their children to come home from Liberia also! The Families are wonderful Christian families who strive to follow God's plan for them also! These families have witnessed, been examples to me and our family during this wait! I received a email the other day how they're family has grown closer. I have to agree with her, our family has also learned how to talk about God's hand walking us through this wait. We all have grown up in ways you would of never have before. Our family has met some amazing families through adoption. When we started our blog, it was comforting to know most of the family's were also waiting. Since than, God has brought beautiful, amazing children home to they're homes.

"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle 's." Psalm 103:1-5,

Tomorrow we are meeting Joni, who lives 20 miles from us who works for Samaritan's Purse. This young, spunky, wonderful lady, happens to live 3 miles away from Marcus in Liberia!! How could anyone just plan that? (God does)!! Joni is home, visiting family, and getting a good dose of Iowa Snow! She has not had the opportunity to just stop over at the Orphanage. Our hopes last January when we met that we would be visiting soon, and be able to stay by her. We are excited and looking to see what God has planned for 2010~
http://jonesinliberia.blogspot.com/ Today I am putting a photo book together with hopes/prayers that Joni will be able to make a stop when she returns!
A year ago, when we where told to look into travel arrangements! Woohoo, excitement filled our home, hearts and hopes. We have become a bit hardened to the whole situation. I went through our "packed" items a couple days ago. Some expired medicine, flavor packets for water, clothing, just reminders of the excitement that instilled our hearts! But prayers where said for the President of Liberia and all the children and family's who are waiting for the continuence of proceeding of those who have been matched!

It has been a year since the the President Sirleaf suspended all adoptions in Liberia. We were told and read that the Government was going to "redo and re look" the laws concerning adoption. President Sirleaf thought it would take 2-3 months.

We do not get any real updates on the situation or how Marcus is. Our Agency traveled to Liberia in October. She did not get much of time with Marcus! We know she hired some people to work for our agency. The man who has worked for our Agency who is our power of attorney is no longer working for our agency. Not sure how this is going to affect us. :(

My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 4:8

Thanks for checking in on us, and following our journey! It is one I never in a million years thought would be a chapter book!

Today is another blizzard, snow day with everyone home!

We ask for your prayers for all as we continue on our journey. Please pray for all us family's who are waiting and praises for family's who are home with their little blessing's!

God Bless You All, for He is the One who knows when, and holds our tomorrows in His hands!

Ugh.....

Our Family....is waiting.....waiting for Liberia to get a moving and reopen adoptions, or at least the ones that have been processed!

Waiting, just waiting, and asking ourselves is this really going to happen? Is Marcus going to be too old to come to live with us?

We continue to pray(a lot), look at his pictures, and every once in awhile we get asked, "Are you still going through with Marcus' adoption?". "What do you hear about the country reopening, when is this going to happen?"

Sometimes the question catches you off guard, and you are reminded of the sweet little boy you have placed in the back of your heart!

How do you let go of a dream, that God planted in our soul and our hearts?

We continue to lean on God's timing. I just wish, we had a little bit of a hope that Liberia is working....working on the laws.

Our Agency director is in Liberia. Praying that she writes us and tells us how Marcus' health, life, school, what did he think of our package, did he say anything about the book we put together with all the pictures and if he has any needs. It would be so wonderful to see a smile on his face. Maybe tomorrow we will get an email, but I am not planning on it.

I see pictures and hear of children needing homes, and we are praying God shows us the way. I am so glad we can just leave it at the feet of Jesus and He will take care of Marcus. In fact, that is all we can do. I have written letters to Senators, (Hilary...did you forget to talk to the President Sirleaf about this situation?), Congressman, anyone who can help us families waiting.

Well enough of my poor me, time for bed.

Tomorrow I get to go with Bradyn's class to the Symphony.

I am so thankful we are all "healthy" here!! It was a crazy 3 weeks of coughs, fever, sore throats, head aches, and ear aches. We have so much to be Thankful for!

God Bless You All!

Check out this awesome day we can spend together... praying for those who need a home!

This is going to be just awesome!!

Any Facebook Supporters?

Hillary Clinton is going to Liberia, please if you have a chance, go to this link and write a ditty about talking to President Johnson-Sirleaf about the Liberian Adoption situation. Encourage Secretary Clinton to talk to President Sirleaf about starting up the adoptions soon and quickly. That the families who are matched with families to be grandfathered in with the old laws. After all this is for the Orphans who need homes!

Hillary Clinton's Facebook Discussion Topics

Prayers of course help too!

Thanks!

A year ago & Summer Vacation

A year ago, we fell in love with this picture of a little boy!

Today we continue to uplift Marcus in prayer.

Praying that his needsare being met, and that one day,

the Lord willing, we will travel to Liberia to

bring him home. We are protecting our

hearts if this does not happen. We are still

waiting to hear what the "laws" require.

The kids are officially on Summer Vacation! :)

Weekend of Blessing's!

With a 16 year old in the house, Mark had the idea to have Beau take the kids to find Mother's Day gifts for me. I was so impressed with what they all had bought! I think I got the best kids ever. Mark is pretty wonderful also! :)



















Sunday was a special day because I got special gifts for Mother's Day, we celebrated Beau's and Kassidy's (cousin) profession of faith publicly at church! (We baptized Beau 16 years ago on Mother's Day! :) Our church had 4 profession of faith in the morning service. Brynn and Bradyn sang with the children's choir. It was a perfect morning for Mom! :) It was so nice to have my parents, sisters and their families in church with us.
We celebrated at the park with Beau and Kassidy! It was a chilly but sunny day. Having family and friends there made the day extra special.

Tonight we got Brynn's dance picture back! She is growing up!
After dance we had our home study updated! Thanks Heidi!

Our agency director called(right when Heidi stepped into the house) and answered some questions regarding Liberia. We have asked the same questions since Nov. and would love to have these simple questions answered! It is sad, that nobody has any inclination when they are going to reopen. :( Our concern is, what if this all falls through? What if Marcus' birth Mom changes her mind during this transition? We can't imagine what she goes through every day. We need your prayers not only for us, for his birth Mom, and the Liberian Gov't! Our family has been on hold, and it would be so wonderful to know something!

Have a wonderful week, and may God Bless you all!

3 months and 15 years!

Today marks the 3 month mark of waiting for adoption to reopen in Liberia! I knew in my heart it wouldn't open up before this day. President Sirleaf has been in been in the United States. Our hearts are wondering, knowing this is all in God's hands to when it reopens. There is a family blog I follow, with a great amount of information regarding Liberia.

http://www.rutledge6.blogspot.com/

There is a great article if you click on it. Please take time to scroll down and listen to a video post on here also.

This family just got back from Liberia so long ago.

Today is Mark's anniversary from his accident 15 years ago! I am so thankful God spared his life! When I think back to that windy, gloomy day, I can't imagine what that day would turn out to be. God was so with us, and not a day goes by that I am reminded to "kiss your husband good-bye, you never know it could be your last" was what my Grandma always told me!

Little did I know, that was did exactly happen! I went shopping with my sister who was in college, and thought Beau (1 years old) and I would walk Kari to the dorm room to help carry boxes would I receive a message that would change our lives forever! Not until I seen Mark in the ER before surgery. To hear about the damage he had from the cement rake going through his body! Would those valuable words Grandma would repeat to me over and over again!

God walked us through that time of our life and He is still here walking us through this part.

Prayer Requests:

Those waiting for the phone to ring!!!
Church families:
We have 2 families in waiting for domestic adoptions! :)
Families who are finishing up their Foster Care classes so they can foster to adopt in our church! :0

A couple of families in Katelyn's Fund waiting for referrals from Ethiopia!

A Family that has been waiting for years to bring home children from Guatemala!

Friends who are moving a couple hours south! We will miss you!

Families, Marriages and Children!

Liberia to reopen the doors!!!

Thanks for checking in!

Psalm 33:4
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Update...

Well we finally can put an update up to our process of our Adoption of Marcus. We are sad, frustrated and a bit mad?! We have questions, but with no solid answers.

Today we received and email, that Trokon finally made his meeting.
Our adoption will not happen until the country reopens. We were told we would be priority, but there are lots of priorities as I see it. The country is hoping to reopen in 2-3 months. Which, could be longer or shorter? I tend to go with the longer. The beginning of our journey we where told the process will go quick once it starts going. Well, we received Marcus referral on May 20.
The other question is, if they change laws...we were told 10 days stay, than 5 day stay, and we know they are thinking of changing it to a longer stay. :(

Thank You so much for your prayers! WE can all feel them. Yes we long to hold Marcus, and we can see God's hand in so much, we just need time to think and process all this.

I also relate to all those who had babies in Guatemala, who parents went through this same process. Guatemala is still closed!


Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What's Next?

Thank You all for checking in on our journey to bring Marcus home. The big question is "What's Next?"? Well, we wish we could figure that out!

However we did get a beautiful picture Saturday, not the clearest, but it is a picture! :)

It is so hard not to get frustrated, we now know we are waiting for some official who is gone. Tonight we had a Consistory Supper at church, and we ate Pizza Ranch and watched Facing the Giants. It was wonderful to hear again, "Nothing is Impossible with God"! We know this is in God's hands, but we see how it is starting to be a longer journey than what we thought! :(

On another note, I am so thankful and glad the school music booster soup supper is done! Thank you Jeanie and Varya! What I would of done with out them. After getting home at 8:30 at night, I realized why the pie didn't look so good. I was coming down with the flu! I was wiped out! There has to be an easier way of organizing a soup supper, and getting the support from others. I am so thankful for some of the couples that showed up and went out of their way to help!

This week holds some prayer requests:

Our case to "get a movin!" and Trokon!

Court case in Ethiopia for a family to bring 2 children home.

Praise for a couple who got the call for a precious baby boy! Congratulations!! Pray for safe travels, and for the sweet reunion God has planned for this family!!

Pray for our President for his heart to change for the unborn babies!

God Bless!

9 months Pregnant!

Brynn has been enjoying the nice weather!

Sliding down the mound of snow!

Lately I am reminded how I felt being 9 months pregnant. Although I can sleep all night, still receive the kicking from some little girl who sneaks into bed with us. "I can't figure out how the angels carry me downstairs?" I hear, "Your still here?" "When are you going?"! Yep, 9 months pregnant. I don't think I am as crabby, it could be coming!

We are still waiting for the picture Trokon had taken a week ago! We received a bit of information the other day, but it really does not make too much sense!

I might take some advice from another adoptive mom who is waiting for a court date and has starting making brownies, often!

Tonight we took the snowmobiles to Sioux Center to McDonald's! What fun! I had Brynn with me, it was a nice ride! The groomer had just made a nice path for us! Perfect weather also! :)

Tomorrow night we have our Music Booster soup supper! I will be so happy when I can put all that paper work away!

Have a terrific weekend!

God Bless You All!

The Wait is On!

This week we will see what comes our way!

We did find out Marcus is doing well, and a great appetite! Waiting for some recent pictures! Oooh, I can't wait to see him!

Mark had a blast snowmobiling. He made it home yesterday! Friday night I took Brynn to Hotel for Dogs, we ended up leaving early. :) I needed to pick up some pictures at wal mart! Needless to say, we made a dash for the restroom, and didn't make it! Thank the Lord, some friends from Hull came to our rescue! Thanks T and Lindsey! Brynn heaved all night, every 1/2 hour! Around 5:30 am it started the other direction. Poor kid!

I thought (maybe praying too) a couple weeks ago I would be in sitting in Liberia this week. We have our church Soup Supper Wednesday night and the Music Booster Soup Supper at our High School Friday night! This week, I will be making pies and packing, just in case we get a phone call!
Please pray for adoptive parents who are waiting!

Pray for children who are waiting also, so many who need a warm home with parents who love them! Pray for Marcus and Mother Wleh' orphanage, this will be their 1st child adopted!

Thank you to those who donated items/cash for the orphanage! Our bags are getting full! My lesson in Sunday School was Jesus sitting at the temple as people passed by and gave money. This lady came and gave what she could. I can just see Jesus sitting by the gate of the orphanage, any place where children/families need help! We are going to see so much when we go! God is surely working in all our hearts! Thanks Again! God Bless You All!

Thanks for checking up on us!

Hats and more Hats!!

Last week I asked for donations of Hats for Liberia! Well, needless to say, over 300 hats! Mark is wondering how in the world we will get these all there! I most likely will repack, since "Bertha" the suitcase is too heavy. I have received 2 bags of fun stuff for the orphanage! Thank You so much! We have received some cash donations also.

Wowza! Hats, Hats and more Hats!

Yesterday we had an anwered prayer when we read we only have to be in Liberia for 5 days now! Whew, not 10 days like we thought! Mark & I are so thankful for that! Leaving the 4 kids at home, is going to be hard on some of the kids and not to mention Mark and myself! I think Grandpa and Grandma will be relieved also! We are waiting for word to buy the tickets yet! Ugh! It will be in the next 3 weeks. There is some Embassy appointments that are taking place in Liberia!

So, I sent Mark to the Black Hills to go snowmobiling with his brother and nephew! I talked to Mark yesterday afternoon, it was 17 degrees, and here it was -7! Burr, I am sick of the cold!

Psalm 126:3
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Mark 9: 36-37
He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.


We have been so blessed on this journey of adoption, and we praise and thank God daily for the direction He has been leading us!

Have a warm weekend!