#1

 

We just got our February wait-list number and we are #1 again.

We continue to feel amazingly peaceful.  It is totally unexplainable...apart from God.

God is so very faithful in ALL that He does.  We give Him the glory and thank you for your prayers!

So, how are we doing?

Several of you have asked. 

As for the waiting at #1 we are doing surprisingly well.

And honestly, as I stood in our kitchen last night and thought again of the whole situation the word that came to mind was "PEACEFUL". 

Getting a referral usually is one of my first thoughts of the day.  Thinking through the day's schedule...what would it be a like if it was today? 

The day moves on sometimes according to plan and very often lately not according to plan, but there is peace.

The message of fervent prayer has been being echoed into our hearts and minds over and over recently.  So as our thoughts turn toward our precious bundle so do our prayers.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family! 

Let's just say with the many things that haven't went as planned lately and then waiting for a major event that has no timetable that we know of... well, this much uncertainity isn't usually our strong point.  The peace we feel in this time of uncertainity feels quite unexplainable...except for GOD has showed up!

As we prayed on the way to school together today... thanking God because He has showed up MIGHTLY!

BJ said it reminded him of the verse:
"Don't worry about anything but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.

And we LOVE the promise that follows:
"And the peace of God that passes ALL understanding shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We know there are different seasons to the journey but right now we stand very humbled that He has blessed us with such peace in the waiting!  And again thank you for your prayers they are making a difference!

Oh, you can tell she has brothers...

I did a hair treatment for Ellyana the other night and it was still "drippy" so I put her in a pink bathrobe that someone had passed on to us.  My first thought "oh, it is kinda like a spa".  

The first thing she did...a karate kick and said "Look, Mom, I'm a ninja". 

 Tiana and Ariel going for a ride in Cars slippers.  Snow White in a football slipper.

Tinkerbell with some run in with the police.

The list could go on and on.

It is just hilarious around here to see the "mix".  I have to say I love it.  She is TOTALLY "all-girl"...sparkles, pink, and princess everything but then you just see these very funny glimpses into...oh, yeah...she has 2 brothers.

And whenever I am asked how she manages with 2 brothers...I always say "she holds her own just fine".  They are the best big brothers you could ever ask for.  I am so thankful she has them and that they have her and ALL we can say is that we can NOT wait to see who God brings to be "baby sister" in our family!  She will be very much loved and adored!

Need a week of Spiritual Renewal?!!

This week is... Moody Founder's Week. 
Amazing, solid Biblical teaching!

Another great line-up of speakers
Especially looking forward this week to James MacDonald, Tony Evans and David Platt...

(several speakers I haven't heard of but that makes it fun and usually they are great).

You can tune in on-line. 

 http://www.moodyconferences.com/foundersweek/

All times are Central Time. 

It has probably been close to 20 years that I have going to or listening into Founder's Week.

I can't wait for the week it is always a blessing!

 Ellyana & I watched a sermon on-line during lunch today.

Its one of those weeks you can hardly wrap your mind around all the great Biblical teaching!  

For as much as you are able to tune in or catch the archives later...

enjoy being challenged & encouraged in the Lord!

Happy 7 years Home Day, Zach!

7 years ago today Zach arrived home in our family!

 We were able to celebrate his special day last weekend!   

We went to a local Guatemalan restaurant for lunch.  Here he is LOVING the tortillas! 

 And his favorite...getting to drink the special pop from the bottle.  They give you this free bowl of soup as an appetizer...not too Guatemalan but very delicious.

So it had been awhile since we had Guatemalan food and the kids looking at the menu were sure that all they wanted was Dino Nuggets and fries.  Funny thing was once the food arrived...they LOVED the Guatemalan food.  The restaurant is also well known for their fried chicken.  Seriously, have no idea how they do it...but it is all really delicious.

 Ellyana's dress and head wrap are from Guatemala, she was so proud to get to wear them.
 The Guatemala music, the Spanish cartoons playing on the TV, the pictures on the wall, amazing Guatemalan food...it was really fun to be there. 

 We stopped at a Mexican bakery on the way home and watched this video from the library later. (The video was pretty good.  Little disappointing that it focused only on 2 families that live in extreme wealth in Guatemala just knowing that doesn't reflect the reality of most of the families there.  But there were many good things in the video.)

 We were so thankful to BE in Guatemala about this time last year.  What an amazing country and people!  All the more fun this year for Zach's Coming Home celebration with all of us having such wonderful memories of getting to be there!

Getting to be there and experience the beauty of the country...

 Met our Sponsor boy...our memories are just wonderful. 

 Here is Zach last year at the same Guatemalan restaurant as we were the night before he came home.  He has grown up so much but is just as cute as ever!

 

We could not be more thankful to have him our family!!!  

Our precious, precious wonderful gift that the Lord has given us from Guatemala!!