Family and Everyday Life

It's been quite busy around here lately!

My sister (Amy's sis) and our niece, Elise, were here for 10 days from March 5 - 15. It was a lot of fun to have them here. Elise is growing so much and is a very busy little girl (and smart)! We had some good times with them here!

While they were here, we pulled away for a quick weekend in Ft. Worth for Cherie's (Rex's step-sister) wedding. Rex was the photographer and did an amazing job! We got to see some family there as well, including Joe and Katherine (Katherine is Rex's sister) and our other 2 nieces. It was short, but we enjoyed seeing everyone!

In other news, every Tuesday night we have Life Group at our house. We REALLY enjoy our group! They are such awesome people! This week we started going through Philippians and had a good discussion about Paul's life. It was refreshing!

Once a week, when the weather permits, I get up early and go to Garage Sales (or "shopping" as they call it) with a couple of friends. They are "teaching me" how to find great deals and I really enjoy it!! I have already gotten some really amazing summer dresses and shirts for cheap! It's always fun looking for great deals and hidden treasures!


Big news! After living in Texas for about 10 or so years, I finally got a pair of Cowboy Boots!! I love them! I guess I'm a real Texan now!

As far as our adoption goes, we're feeling a lot more hopeful about what's going in Ethiopia. We're sticking with the plan of applying to an agency this summer to get the ball rolling. I have to admit, I was pretty discouraged for a few days, but we're still hopeful and trusting that God has shown us we're heading the right direction with our adoption! Please keep praying for all of the orphans in Ethiopia and the people who are making the appropriate, necessary changes to protect and provide for these little ones. There are a lot of people involved to improve this system!

I'll have to have my amazing photographer husband take some pictures of some of the things I've sewn this year to post on here. I'm enjoying this new hobby (I just got my first sewing machine at Christmas).

Orphans

"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes." ~David Platt

This week has been an interesting one for us. We found out on Monday about the potential for some drastic changes in the adoption process in Ethiopia. You can go here to read the official announcement from the U.S. State Department. The short of it is that Ethiopia may reduce the number of adoptions approved by up to 90%.

I don't think we've mentioned on here yet that we have been whole-heartedly planning to adopt from Ethiopia. We have been researching for years all of the options that are out there for adoption and have always felt drawn to Ethiopia (not necessarily saying "God told us to").

We are unsure of where to go from here. We know that there is still a MASSIVE need for orphans to be cared for in Ethiopia, but sometimes God changes our perspective so that we'll look at things differently. This doesn't mean that we are not adopting from Ethiopia, it just means that we need to continue to pray for God's direction.

There's a song that's been in my head this week and has been a good reminder for us. It's called "Where You Go I'll Go" and I believe it's written by Brian Johnson. Anyway, here are some of the lyrics:

Where you go I go
What you say I say
What you pray I pray

Jesus only did, What he saw you do
He would only say, What he heard you speak
He would only move, When he felt you lead
Following your heart, Following your spirit

Lately I have been so excited to realize that our dream of adoption is finally about to happen. This week there have been moments of feeling as though that dream is slipping away. But, we believe that God has confirmed that the timing for pursuing adoption is coming, so we just need to keep reminding ourselves.

Please pray for God's will for orphans in Ethiopia and that the Ethiopian Government would be led by the Holy Spirit to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the orphaned children. Also, pray that we'll continually seek God and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

If you wouldn't mind, could you take a few minutes and sign this petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia? The details are on the webpage.We can't give up easily. The road to caring for orphans is a long, bumpy one, but the need is greater than we can imagine!

"He's stilll working on me..."

Remember that song? I remember singing it as a kid. I've had it in my head off & on lately. Funny how it's still true years later! I know He's definitely still working on me. It's been glaringly obvious lately and I gladly receive it. I'm so thankful that He doesn't EVER give up on me. Here are the lyrics:

Chorus
He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.

Verse 1
There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don’t judge him/her yet, there’s an unfinished part.
But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands.

Verse 2
In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay.