Got snooping around our agency share photos site today.
Lookie who I found! Two of the Seven most beautiful girls in the world!
L, Mo, and their friend at Layla (also beautiful, but just didn't make that top 7 ;)
[photo removed]
I didn't find any of Ed today, but will continue my search later!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Opa and Oma
Our glorious 2 weeks with Opa and Oma have come to an end. The children loved having them here ~ plenty of extra hugs, game time, and, yes, even school disruption.
Of course, every speck of my laundry is clean thanks to Oma, the laundry queen. Opa salvaged forgotten veggies and watermelons from the gardens before the hard frost claimed them. He also gleaned apples from the orchard and worked on pruning some of the trees. (Yes, we know they're supposed to be pruned during the winter, but I'm sure he knew we'd never get to them) He did bean himself in the head with a branch or two, and returns to Canada sporting a mild shiner.
We had the thrill of having both sets of Grandparents together twice - once for an evening dinner, and once for a glorious entire Saturday.
What a blessing: TWO sets of Grandparents who love God, and love these children!
Good-byes were hard. Ic was so devastated that Opa and Oma were leaving, he wanted me to do his hugs and good-byes for him. The girls had tears as well.
So, we're readjusting to life on our own.
For the Canadian family, they're coming back with a few photos... make sure you get a peek!
Monday, October 29, 2007
What's that you say?
I do realize that for some of you, even my first post is a shocker. WHAT 3 girls?
To catch up a bit, I'll copy in a few things from previous days/weeks:
From 10/13
I have no idea if I actually have permission to do this (so, sorry AAI if I'm jumping the gun), but I can wait no longer:We have finally signed placement papers for our three daughters from Layla: M, E, and L!
The papers arrived today (after a semi-traumatic day on the farm involving much blood and a trip to the veterinarian), are already signed/filled out, and are sitting on the desk in an envelope ready to mail in the morning.We go for our fingerprinting appt. tomorrow morning (unexpected to have a Saturday appt..hope this is actually right!)... things feel like they're clipping right along now!
We have watched God completely pave the way ~ we had NO money to begin this process. It just keeps coming in, and we haven't asked anyone for a penny! Appointments which looked like they would be difficult to get were divinely set up far easier and earlier than expected. We are seeing confirmation daily, in many ways, that these are our girls!
I have to tell you how this provision started: We had agonized for over 9 months about these three girls. We felt very much on the verge of ... something... "What is it God? Should we sell our house and erase the mortgage? Do you want us back in full time ministry? Do you want is in cross cultural ministry (tricky with 6 kids, Lord, but we'll go for it if You say the word)? You can't possibly be calling us to adopt three... that's THREE more children!" As we tried to push the girls out of our minds, God put them deeper into our hearts. We heard nothing about the other things we prayed about ~ but the Lord put three girls back in front of us constantly in a variety of ways.
Berny and I finally stood in the kitchen on a Monday night, and agreed that, yes, the Lord was giving us an unmistakable call to adopt the girls. But when we determined that the next step was a new homestudy, costing $2000, we realized we didn't have it. Berny shrugged and commented, "Well, we'll just have to wait."The next day I checked the mail... in it was a check from a relative who knew nothing about the 3 girls and nothing about our winter full of prayers. The check: $2000. Yes, sir! We hear you loud and clear, Lord! One homestudy, coming right up!
As the homestudy progressed, money continued coming, and confirmation continued in other ways. Someone from church handed me a wad of 20's, equalling $200. Berny's birthday, a card arrives from complete strangers (they are friends of my sister and bro-in-law in another state). "We feel God is telling us to send you this money to help get your girls home." $6000. Jaw dropping, eye rinsing, dancing around on the lawn, hugging, jumping joy! Each gift ~ 2000, 600, 100, 6000, 50, 100, 20 ~ brings tears to our eyes as we witness God providing.
We realize that this really has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with God's care for 3 beautiful girls who lost their parents. He has held them in the palm of His hand since 2002 and before. Why He chooses to send them here, to inadequate us, is completely beyond us. But He has a plan for three girls He loves more than we ever could.
Thank you for listening. Would you please pray with us that the process goes quickly? These girls need to come home.
To catch up a bit, I'll copy in a few things from previous days/weeks:
From 10/13
I have no idea if I actually have permission to do this (so, sorry AAI if I'm jumping the gun), but I can wait no longer:We have finally signed placement papers for our three daughters from Layla: M, E, and L!
The papers arrived today (after a semi-traumatic day on the farm involving much blood and a trip to the veterinarian), are already signed/filled out, and are sitting on the desk in an envelope ready to mail in the morning.We go for our fingerprinting appt. tomorrow morning (unexpected to have a Saturday appt..hope this is actually right!)... things feel like they're clipping right along now!
We have watched God completely pave the way ~ we had NO money to begin this process. It just keeps coming in, and we haven't asked anyone for a penny! Appointments which looked like they would be difficult to get were divinely set up far easier and earlier than expected. We are seeing confirmation daily, in many ways, that these are our girls!
I have to tell you how this provision started: We had agonized for over 9 months about these three girls. We felt very much on the verge of ... something... "What is it God? Should we sell our house and erase the mortgage? Do you want us back in full time ministry? Do you want is in cross cultural ministry (tricky with 6 kids, Lord, but we'll go for it if You say the word)? You can't possibly be calling us to adopt three... that's THREE more children!" As we tried to push the girls out of our minds, God put them deeper into our hearts. We heard nothing about the other things we prayed about ~ but the Lord put three girls back in front of us constantly in a variety of ways.
Berny and I finally stood in the kitchen on a Monday night, and agreed that, yes, the Lord was giving us an unmistakable call to adopt the girls. But when we determined that the next step was a new homestudy, costing $2000, we realized we didn't have it. Berny shrugged and commented, "Well, we'll just have to wait."The next day I checked the mail... in it was a check from a relative who knew nothing about the 3 girls and nothing about our winter full of prayers. The check: $2000. Yes, sir! We hear you loud and clear, Lord! One homestudy, coming right up!
As the homestudy progressed, money continued coming, and confirmation continued in other ways. Someone from church handed me a wad of 20's, equalling $200. Berny's birthday, a card arrives from complete strangers (they are friends of my sister and bro-in-law in another state). "We feel God is telling us to send you this money to help get your girls home." $6000. Jaw dropping, eye rinsing, dancing around on the lawn, hugging, jumping joy! Each gift ~ 2000, 600, 100, 6000, 50, 100, 20 ~ brings tears to our eyes as we witness God providing.
We realize that this really has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with God's care for 3 beautiful girls who lost their parents. He has held them in the palm of His hand since 2002 and before. Why He chooses to send them here, to inadequate us, is completely beyond us. But He has a plan for three girls He loves more than we ever could.
Thank you for listening. Would you please pray with us that the process goes quickly? These girls need to come home.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Our adoption updates...
I'm giving this a try... we want our friends and family to be included in our journey to bring home our 3 girls, and this seems to be the best way.
Give me time as I figure this out (perhaps a week or more), but then check back regularly for updates!
For now, the most fabulous sight of our week ~ M. E., and L. receiving their welcome bags from us! After many months of paperwork and waiting, the girls finally know that they have a family!
[photo removed]
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