FFF - One Year Ago Today

This was an easy post for me! Our oldest son just turned 11 years old...how is that possible? Anyway, one year ago today (or there abouts), we were celebrating his 10th birthday. I was lamenting the fact that I now had a child in double digits, that over half of his time in my home was gone, that I was only 3 (now 2!) years away from having a teenager in my house. This year was a little easier. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. I see Christ's character lived out in him daily as he lovingly cares for his younger siblings, as he is quick to ask forgiveness and extend it, as he encourages his teammates on the basketball court and baseball field, and I am thankful.

This picture is of Jeff and my Grandmother, who is now 92! She had just moved here from Phoenix the month before. We love having Grandma Mc here to share life with us.

Blessings,

Job 8:8-10 -- "Just ask the former generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know so little. Our days on earth are as transient as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you from the wisdom of former generations.

Handpicked With Love

Samantha has an adorable shirt we purchased for Embassy Day. It's from Gymboree's Cherry Line (I think!) and it says "Handpicked With Love". As I read today's on-line devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries, I was reminded of that shirt. Not only was Samantha handpicked with love by God, for our family, I, too, was handpicked with love. Picked by God to be the mom to 4 (soon to be 5) precious children.

Today is laundry day. Well, it's the start of laundry week really! I used to be able to do laundry two days a week. How is it that one very small person can increase the laundry output in this house so that my washer and dryer now run all week long?!? Anyway, as I face piles of laundry that will just get dirty again, it's easy to get discouraged. So much of being a mommy is redoing what I just did a few days (or hours) ago. Sometimes I feel defeated before I even begin. But today, I was reminded that I'm building a legacy. I may be overlooked by the world, or even by my family, but God sees the tasks I tackle every day. I am shaping His kingdom by being a mommy. I'm worshipping Him by walking where He's asked me to walk and gladly doing what He's asked me to do.

I'm hand-picked with love to be right where I'm at, serving and loving His future disciples. It is an honor and a priviledge.

Blessings,

Deuteronomy 10:12-15 -- "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul, and to obey the Lord's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good. The highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God. Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above every other nation, as is evident today.

FFF- Happy Leap Year Day

Today's FFF is a video. Our foster family had mentioned swimming in Guatemala while we were there on our pick-up trip. We sent them this to show them how we swim in January!

Blessings,

Urgent Need

With the permission of our adoption agency, I'm posting this letter. Maybe some of you will be able to help.


Dear CCI family,

I am writing to you about a most urgent need that has come to our attention in the past 4 days. As you may know, CCI has received our license to provide adoption services in Ethiopia. We have found an orphanage in the rural western side of the country who has been very excited to work with us on finding homes for their many many orphans. We should be having our first 7 children come home from Ethiopia shortly.. in March or April.

The home where we have been working has been providing housing and school for 159 boys aged 6 and above. These boys are, for the most part, not part of the adoption program, as it is very hard to find homes for boys in this age group. This home had been supported by an American gentleman. This past week, their benefactor has decided to discontinue his support of this orphanage. This leaves the orphanage in an immediate and desperate situation, as they have 159 children to feed! The total running expense of this orphanage is about $8000/month. The food bill is $3000/month. They have immediately let some of the teachers go and they are reducing other staff members. However, they do not have any means to provide for even the basic need of food for these boys! They have asked for our help and we are going to do everything we can to help, but CCI does not have excess income to meet this need.

I am asking that anyone who is interested, to please consider helping us to provide for at least their food needs. The figures are overwhelming but I know that God cares more about this than we do. Please share this need with your friends and family and if God leads you to help us meet this need, it would be a blessing to the children. Funds could be sent to CCI earmarked ETHIOPIAN NEED and you would receive a tax receipt.

Sue Hedberg
Executive Director
Celebrate Children, International, Inc.

Praying for ALL the children,

Favorite Friday Foto - THEN AND NOW

I've so enjoyed seeing everyone else's FFF, that I've decided to jump on the band wagon. You can find the weekly theme here.

So, here is our first picture of Samantha. When I saw it, I knew she was our daughter. Something about her face reminded me of our youngest son, Nathan, who was a premie. Every day, the kids and I would check the website and every day, Samantha's picture stayed. Other little girls came and went. Then, on the Thursday before Easter, we got that wonderful call...if we still wanted to accept Samantha's referral, the attorney was willing to give it to us, even though we still didn't have our 171-H.

This is Samantha, NOW. One year later, I am completely convinced that God knew from the moment of her conception that she was meant to be a part of our family. The beautiful RED cheeks are a result of cold, dry, Nevada weather. We've been applying LOTS of lotion, and they look much better now. This picture was taken at Samantha's Great-Grandma's 92nd birthday party. How fortunate we are to have extended family to celebrate life with!

Here are NOW pictures of Jeffrey and Kayla. I don't have their THEN pictures on our computer. Will try to scan those in later.

Here's Nathan's THEN and NOW photos. What a testimony his little life is to the miracles God can do!

Blessings,