I'm Learning...

We've been home for almost 48 hours now.  But we've been together as a family for 10 days. 

This is what I've learned during that time...

• Slippers means flip flops.
• Sunglasses are a prized possession.
• Flakes is a universal term for all types of cereal.
• Crabs coming under doors and crawling over floors don't bother me as much as I thought they would.
• Brian can officially take on 6 children in a Nerf gun war and still win.
• Plaster means band aid.
• I don't have the first clue how to cook Plantains.
• Shoe shopping at Target the first day home was a very bad idea.
• All children love cinnamon rolls.
• Hugs and kisses is a universal language.
• All electronics need to be password protected.
• I Spy can be played anywhere at anytime and with anyone.  (And apparently sisters can be used as the color that you spy.)
• When Ruth says she isn't ticklish it really means, "Please tickle me!"
• You shouldn't give a child the combination to a combination lock because you might not like what they do with it.
• Lice freaks me out.
• Bubble baths can make girls giggle for hours.
• Rarely will I be able to finish what I start without being interrupted or pulled away.
• Emails will take a minimum of 4 days to get answered and on average 6 hours to complete. 
• I have needed every prayer and encouraging word said on our behalf and I will continue to need them.
• We are blessed with people in our life that are willing to wait out the 2 hour difference in plane delay, just to be able to welcome us home.   

And I have learned that I have the most incredible friends that know what I need before I know I need it.  That bring our family dinner to the airport.  Who stock my fridge and fill my counter with groceries so I won't have to go to the store at midnight.  That don't eat at the fundraising dinner because they are doing all the work.  That hang welcome home signs on our house.  That pick up our car and then bring it back to the airport so we don't have to pay parking.  That support us and pray with us and encourage us when the fears and the tears come.  There are SO MANY people that have played an integral role in our adoption of Isaiah and Ruth that I want to thank, but right now, to Allison Doan, Jill Goolsby and Cristie Martine, I have no words for everything you've done and continue to do.  You represent a piece of God's Kingdom to me.  And I will forever be grateful for you.   May the LORD richly bless each of you and your families as you continue to seek His will.  I can't imagine this journey without you or your families. 

I will close with some more pictures.











 







We are finally together...

I'm sitting outside under a covered patio, listening to the rain pour down and watching the turquoise waves come crashing in.  I have 2 children racing matchbox cars.  I have 2 children coloring.  The kitchen is cleaned from lunch and a load of laundry is washing.  My husband is sweeping the tile floor. 

And in the time it has taken me to type these 4 sentences, I have been interrupted 21 times.  That's an interruption almost every three words.   

This last time was Isaiah.  He wanted to show me what he had written...

"I Love you Mummy."

Oh, my sweet dear boy, how tender is your precious little heart?!  So many people have stopped us and told us how lucky you and Ruth are, but I'm only beginning to realize the depth of how wrong those people are.  We, your mom and dad, are the lucky ones. 

I don't have the time or really the words to describe how our family has come together these last few days.  So I will share a few pictures.  Hopefully they will tell their own story.

The rain has now forced me inside, but the doors are open and I can hear the waves and the rain competing for power.   And all the children and daddy have come together for another game of Uno.

My heart is full and I am filled with peace.  And though I know trials and tribulations await us in this journey, God's love and grace will always be sufficient.  And I will forever be grateful and humbled that the LORD called us to be Isaiah and Ruth's forever family.

Thank YOU

"...May the LORD reward you for your kindness..."  Ruth 1:8

Please forgive me in taking a few days to get this post out.  I am overwhelmed and a little speechless at everything that has taken place the last month of this adoption journey.  I don't know where to begin, nor do I even have the first clue how to thank some people.  Some have given of their time and money in such a sacrificial way, that to just say "Thank You" feels as if I am cheapening what they've done. 

Your outward expression is a beautiful portrayal of what is on the inside.  And I have no right to "Thank You" for that.  What I can do and what your love and selflessness has made me do, is go straight to my knees weeping and praising and thanking the LORD for you!  For your beautiful heart! 

And what continues to get me, is not that you are giving from the overflow, but that you are giving in faith, from what your family lives on, praying that the LORD blesses and multiplies the money.  Friends who are neck high in their own adoptions or ministries gave.  Friends, whom the LORD blessed me with one week prior, offered support and prayers and encouragement like I've never seen.  Friends I have never met have offered incredible support and prayer through their own blogs. 
My Gateway family...oh see...I'm tearing up just thinking of what you've done.  You have been our prayer warriors and supporters from the very beginning!  Many of you being the very, very first people to know about this adoption as we sought your counsel and prayer.  I absolutely can not imagine walking this without you.  And I absolutely can NOT WAIT to introduce you to the beautiful little boy and girl you've been praying for!!

This entire journey, God has been refining me in the areas of unbelief, patience and humility, with the spirit of humility, by far, being the hardest.  Recently, God used my family to once again teach me how to accept gifts humbly.  If you don't know this already about me, I don't take help easily, especially from those I think I am suppose to help.  So the LORD used those exact people that I want to help, to help me.  It was hard for me to accept.  So much so that I tried to tell them that I just can't accept it. 
So to you (you know who you are), my words will never do justice to the sacrifice you gave.  You truly humbled me to a place of speechlessness.  I pray your legacy lives on in the hearts of my children for generations to come.

I know I am not doing justice in conveying my gratitude and appreciation, and I know that there are at least a hundred people that I need to thank by name, but please rest in knowing that I have thanked the LORD for you and I will continue to do so.  And for all of you, this is the story that reminds me of your love and sacrifice...

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and

watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.

Many rich people threw in large amounts.

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all the others."

Mark 12:41-43

To ALL of you that lift up prayers of intercession on our behalf; to ALL of you that give selflessly and generously; to ALL of you that offer support and encouragement...

"May the the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

It's only through the way you allowed God to use you that we will be leaving in less than a week to bring our son and daughter home.!  Please continue your prayers as there is still warfare!!

I PROMISE to post pictures and details about the silent auction dinner and announce the winner of the diamond necklace in the next post!!

Silent Auction and Dinner

I just realized that I have yet to put any of our Silent Auction & Dinner information here on my blog.  It's on Facebook and I've sent out emails, but I probably need it here too.  So here it is...

Our adoption is final and we leave in less than 2 weeks to bring home Isaiah and Ruth!  So in celebration of our growing family and as one last attempt to raise the final funds we need to travel, we are having a Dinner and Silent Auction on Monday, March 7th, at Ristorante Paesanos on 1604. 

The event begins at 6:30.  You're in for a treat if you've never eaten here because Paesano's food is incredible!  You will also be treated to a private concert by our very own December's End.  Last year, they beat out over a 1000 bands to win Battle of the Bands, they have been featured on Good Day SA and though it's personal opinion, I seriously think they are some of the most talented musicians I have ever heard.  We will have a silent auction set up, where you will have the opportunity to bid on great things like original paintings, photography sessions, gift cards to great restaurants around town, the yummiest little cake bites in the whole world, gift baskets, a romantic weekend get-a-way and many more things!

We will also be raffling off this diamond necklace the night of the dinner.  From now until the night of the dinner, raffle tickets are $10 a piece.  For information on how to purchase one, go here.  That night however, tickets will be $20.  At the end of the evening, we will draw one lucky winner!

Tickets are $40 to this event and you pay at the door. 

Here are answers to questions from you that I am getting:

1.  How do I pay?  We don't have the ability to run credit cards, so please be prepared with cash or check.  That is also true for the silent auction items. 

2.  What to wear?  The attire is casual.  Some will come straight from work so they will be dressed more business casual.  But jeans and sundresses are fine!
3.  Can I bring my children?  Absolutely!  However, please be aware that this is more of an adult venue (no playscapes, playgrounds or play area) so if they are younger, you might want to bring something quiet to entertain them.  

So to recap...
WHAT:  Dinner, concert and silent auction
WHERE: Paesanos Restaurant, 3622 Paesanos Parkway, San Antonio, TX
DATE:  Monday, March 7th
TIME:  6:30 p.m.
PRICE:  $40

Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions or suggestions!  This is an open event so please feel free to bring your family, friends and neighbors! 
Also, I am trying to get a general headcount so the restaurant can plan accordingly, so if you plan on coming (and I already don't know), will you please leave a comment or jump over to Facebook and RSVP under the Event page I set up?  THANKS!!!