Special Guest

My brother is on his 16 day leave before he goes to Afghanistan for 8 months. Last night I told Carter that we were having someone special for lunch...a suprise special guest. He was shall I say a bit excited when his favorite Uncle was there to pick him up from Pre-school. He went to his teacher and loudly whispered, " I want to show my family my room, is that ok?"
So we got a big tour of his room :) so sweet
Carter and his favorite person ever. There is just nothing quite like Uncle Brentie. Brent showed us where he would be in Afghanistan on the map behind them.
Pizza and chocolate cake for lunch. Oh, and miss Gracie seems to be enjoying her new Uncle.
She's showing him video (that I have yet to upload on my computer ) of our Ethiopia trip.
Playtime with Brysen. When we ask Brysen to pray at Supper it goes like this, " Jesus, Uncle Brentie safe, AMEN!!" We thought it was funny the first time he said that and he caught on so now its sort of a joke but still sweet coming from my two year old.
Cameras Grandma made.....say cheese!
This picture will have to last me quite awhile.

Miscellaneous Monday

I can't believe how much this little girl likes to work! From washing the dishes to making all the beds and mopping floors, she is a great help! She shared with us that she worked alot at the Soddo orphanage. *EDIT* Just so y'all don't think I make her do housework. The above picture is quality time with Daddy while Mommy gives the boys showers. They dance and eat candy in secret. So special to hear them laughing. He does a good job of showing her how to wash dishes.
Here she is cutting yarn for her braids. EDIT *I did ask her if she wanted to cut yarn braids with her brother (not pictured) while I made supper. They only did about 10 before supper and I did the other 60.
Erin wanted her toes painted :) *EDIT good bonding with her friends since they cannot communicate.

*We have been so busy lately! I can't believe its almost been two weeks since I blogged last! My children are my first priority...they seem to take up most of my time these days.

*I came across this saying on one of the blogs I follow. I wrote it down but forgot to write down where I found it :(

" Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, talented, fabulous? Actually, Who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us ; its in everyone. And as we let our lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" -Marianne Williamson

I LOVE that! I am always downplaying myself wanting not to brag. But I am always encouraged by others who boldly tell others what they are doing for God and how God has changed there lives.
*Let your light shine*

FAQ'S

HOW IS SHE DOING?

She is doing fine. Not every day is a perfect day BUT for having moved across the world to adjust to new culture and a new home and family...she is doing fine.

DID YOU DO HER HAIR?

Yes! I do! Although maybe it would be nice, we don't have extra money to go to a salon every week. I self taught myself and I am still learning. This has been a huge undertaking and a adjustment for me. Once I get the hang of it, I am sure I will get faster and better. For now I am still learning. I want her to accept her hair as something that is part of her and her culture. And I think my attitude about the whole situation will have an affect on her. So I want to have a positive happy attitude. I am just glad that right now we only have one head of hair in the house that needs special attention.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BRAID HER HAIR?

Between breakfast, lunch and supper...naps and laundry and everything else...it takes me all day. Like 9am to 8 pm. .....yeah.

HOW LONG DOES THE HAIRSTYLE LAST?

Depending on which hairstyle, usually a week. Then the hair starts slipping out of the braids and it starts to look messy and frizzy. I like the yarn braids...those last almost a month. I also like the twist but they only last a couple days. Every night she sleeps with a sleep cap..I think it helps?

WHAT DOES SHE NEED?

I am sorry, but this question really bugs me. Do you honestly think I am going to tell you what to buy for my daughter? If you want to get her a gift then let it be from your heart. Compared to what she had...she needs nothing. We feel blessed that so many people have thought of us and given BUT it makes me uncomfortable telling you what she needs :)

DOES SHE TAKE NAPS?

Yes! PTL! I think its good for all of us in my household to have some quiet time.

HOW IS THE LANGUAGE BARRIER?

Honestly since day one..she has did great. She understands me very well. Explaining situations tend to get a little complicated but even then, she is starting to raise the eyebrows ( In Ethiopia that means yes or you understand ) We are working on her social skills. She is shy to begin with so if you ask her a question she might not respond. Were working on it and she is learning!

IS SHE EATING WELL?

This has been a little complicated. She eats well at home but when we go away, not so good. She likes bread and meat...raisins, oranges, bananas...green beans, corn...and of course candy and cookies. Anything that looks weird like lime pear jello...thats a no :) She loves to drink water BUT no ice!

DO YOU THINK YOU WILL ADOPT AGAIN?

YES! Lord willing, we plan to adopt again. Whether it be from Ethiopia, China, Haiti, Uganda, Congo or America. God has called us to care for the orphans BUT right now...we are just enjoying our three children that God has blessed us with.

Casting Crowns - So Far To Find You (Lyrics in Description)

Feeling grateful this morning that our daughter is coloring in the toy room with her brothers. It seems like a lifetime ago that our hearts were heavy with waiting. I know I've said it before but I will say it again...she was worth it. It was a long journey BUT we are ready to do it all over again when the Lord calls. Sometimes my husband and I will just look at her and say, "Wow! We can't believe after two years you are finally in our home and part of our family.
This song by Casting Crowns says it all. I love that this whole adoption process has such a spiritual meaning.

Halloween

Happy Monday!
I was looking at my calendar and realized that NEXT Monday is Halloween. First of all, if your reading this and your family DOES participate in Halloween...that is fine and I am not judging you. I try to keep this blog free from controversy. But I do feel strongly about this Holiday and I would like to share with you why our family has no part in it. Joshua 24:15 "For me and my household...we will serve the Lord."

HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

Halloween is the festival of the dead.
Ephesians 5:6-16 says,
"Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not partakers with them.
For you were sometimes darkness but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of the light
For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame to even speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light
Wherefore he saith, awake thou that sleeps, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.
See then that you walk not as fools but as the wise.
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

* 6 BILLION dollars will be spent on Halloween this year
*Everything is based of feeling today
*People say that we take the fun out of everything if we are not involved with Halloween / its legalism
*But facts are facts....Its not based on feelings

Halloween Past

*300 years before Jesus was born there was a civilization known as the Celtics
*They lived in the British Isles, Scandinavia, and Western Europe
*Controlled by a secret society of pagan priest called the Druids which are mentioned more than 30 times in the Greek and Roman writings between the 2nd and 4th century ( so this is not a made up story)
Barbarak- blood thirsty, delighted in human and animal sacrifices ( including children ), Recorded in the Julius Ceasar commentary that they would burn scores of people alive 2nd Chronicles 28:3

Festival of the Dead

*So-Ween was/is the Lord of the Dead
*On the eve of the festival ( October 31st ) the pagan worshipers would call together all the wicked spirits who in the last 12 months had been condemned to inhabit bodies of animals
*Believed that on one night of the year souls of the dead could inhabit their original homes to be entertained by food
* If food and water were not provided these spirits would cast spells and put curses on the people dwelling there
* On this night entire communities would come together to build bon fires and make sacrifices ( animals, crops, themselves )
*They would wear costumes made from the heads of animals and cover themselves with animal skins and read fortunes for all the people.

Anton LaVey

* Author of the satanic bible
* high priest of the church of satan ( Leader of it all)

Three most important days of the santanist

*Birthday
*April 30th ( the day the church of satan was founded )
*October 31st the day when winter comes and the beginning of the witchcraft year
Note- There are no rules that the satanist practice except the 7 deadly sins....Lust, Gluttony, Pride, Greed, Envy, Jealousy and Laziness.

Scripture ( Look it up! )

* Revelations 17:14
* Revelations 20: 1,2,6
* Revelations 21 7 and 8

Jack a Lantern- Jack was a damned soul that was not allowed into Heaven because he tricked the devil in several places, he was not allowed into Hell therefore destined to roam the countryside ( They carved faces in pumpkins to scare Jack away )

Trick or Treat- if food was not provided, the wicked spirits would "tick" or cast spells on the people dwelling in the homes they visited

Costumes- to disguise yourself as one of the evil spirits who were coming back in animal bodies. If you wore an animal skin they wouldn't know it as you and they would leave you alone.

Witches- October 31st is the most sacred day for witches ( Beginning of the witchcraft year )

*Black Cats - the witches "demon" helper

*Bats- dwell in darkness, eat in darkness, represent a soul that can move

** Most of this information I got from my friend, Anthony.

So...if your family participates in Halloween maybe you just never knew the reasons behind this evil holiday. I know for my family, we don't want anything to do with something that is evil and satanic.

May you be blessed

ONE month HOME!

One month ago...today...our daughter arrived to America and her forever home. She has been a joy and a ray of sunshine in our lives. We are beyond grateful that God chose us to be her parents. She is loved so so much.




"Orphans are easier to ignore
Before you know their name

They are easier to ignore
Before you see their faces

It is easier to pretend their not real
Until you hold them in your arms

But once you do...EVERYTHING changes."

-David Platt

From CWA

When Gracie and I arrived back from Ethiopia this little bear and the poem was waiting for her from our agency. We were so blessed to work with a wonderful agency.



THE CHOSEN HEART

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me was meant for you.

I think how happy we will be,
Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.

I dream of all the joy you'll bring,
Imagining even the little things.
The way it will feel to hold you tight,
And tuck you in every night.

The drawings on the refrigerator door,
And childhood toys across the floor,
The favorite stories read again and again,
And hours of games with make believe friends.

The day you took my outstretched hand,
A journey ended, but our lives began.
Still mesmerized by your sweet face,
Still warmed inside by our first embrace.

I promised to give you a happy home,
And a loving family all your own.
A house you have now made complete,
With laughter, smiles, and little feet.

A parent is one who guides the way,
Know I will be there everyday.
Rest easy each night as you sleep,
A lifetime of love is yours to keep.

Longing for a child to love
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me belonged to you.
-Teri Harrison