Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for . . .

Grandmas that are still here and a part of our children's lives . . .

What a blessing they are.

That Kevin and Ted have employment in schools . . .

A magnificant smile on my five-year-old son's face . . .

And the messy breakfast face of my two-almost-three year old!

Our treasures from the East

Praying to hear God's voice above the rest.

We don't know if we have a daughter somewhere in this world, or

if God is simply calling us to continue to help the orphan.

Or maybe both.

But we will continue to seek His voice.

And we will follow Him wherever He asks us to go.

If we hadn't done that two times before, we would not have

our treasures from China.

We can't even imagine our lives without Philip and Elijah now.


Can never thank God enough for those two amazing little boys!

To our precious children

I just love this poem and have seen it on many adoption websites.

I don't know who the author is, but it is simply beautiful.

Some would gather money, along the path of life. Some would gather roses, and rest from worldly strife. But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin. I would seek a little child with a big and toothless grin. For money cannot enter in the land of endless day, and roses that are gathered soon wilt along the way. But oh, the laughing children, as I cross the sunset sea. And the gates swing wide to heaven. I can take them in with me.

Thanking God each day for the chance to parent our amazing children.

Haircuts by Mom

We just got some hair clippers yesterday at Wally World,

and I tried my hand at cutting our "littles" hair.

Overall I am pleased. It will save about $25 every couple of months!

But now upon closer inspection at these photos, I can see some

stray hairs I missed. I guess I am not ready to go "pro" yet!!

Here we grow again!

Tomorrow we begin again . . .



We've got the agency . . .



We've got a homestudy lined up and ready to begin . . .



We even have a picture of a darling little girl who has stolen our hearts and is not yet paper-ready . . .



Mostly we have heard how "impossible" it will be to adopt this particular little girl . . .



Her file isn't anywhere yet. As soon as she gets on the shared waiting children's list, I am told it will be "seconds" before she is taken. . .




But still . . .



I had a phone call out of the blue the other morning from a friend who knows about the impossible becoming the possible with God . . .



That phone call came at an interesting time . . .



Right after a night of fasting and praying about that very thing . . .




Of.all.the.people.in.the.world.
who.could.have.called, this friend's call was significant . . .



He and and his wife began an organization with only a few dollars in their pocket with the divine provision of our God . . an organization that has brought hope to countless orphans . . . Impossible . . . yes it is by "men's" standards . . .



But not by God's!



"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37



Stay tuned and see.

PHF update

Spoke to Tim Baker yesterday, and he said that they still needed to raise $20,000 of the $70,000.



It is due tomorrow. . .

Please continue to pray for Sheperd's Field Children's Village.

Thanks

This and That

Just a weekly update on the boys . . .


They are doing well. Philip will begin preschool this week with one day a week at his preschool class and three days a week with me homeschooling him - Fridays off for fun! He is so much fun to work with on homeschooling. The other day we talked about wind - gentle breeze, gale force, and tornado strength. When we went to the park a couple of days later, he excitedly exclaimed from high on top a slide, "Mommy, I can see the wind! It's a gentle breeze!" Too cute. . .

A walk in the park on a bright summer's day

with my sons

Ted is loving working at the preschool with our friend Christine. She is a hoot to work with, and he is learning so much. He also has accepted two tutoring assignments and does substitute teaching upon occasion. This will be his learning year getting him ready to jump into interviews for teaching positions next year with a year of experience under his belt.

We love having him at home for this brief time before he makes his own way in the world. What a special treat for us!

One of our favorite things to do in any weather but

especially on such a lovely day.

Being silly!

Elijah is growing and changing daily. He has come a very long way from that scared, overwhelmed little boy we brought home last February. He is such a love bug, always ready for a hug and a cuddle.

Aunt Jo getting in on the fun!

No word yet on how Shepherd's Field did on raising money. I will let you all know when I hear. For now, just keep praying!


But very exciting news to report on Shepherd's Field Children's Village otherwise . . .


We know of two children who live there who will soon meet their forever families! One little boy - Tonye - is getting his new family in just a few short days! The other child, a little girl named Emma, will meet her forever next month! What a praise!