Yes, it's been awhile.

I guess I just haven't had much to say.  Although, that's not really true.  I have lots of thoughts rolling around in my head, but I can't seem to make them into paragraphs that actually make sense.  So today I'll just stick with sentences.

We're in the midst of a transition in our Children's Ministry.  We've hired a Children's Pastor.  He's an answer to prayer.  The vision he has for our ministry is incredible and I can't wait to see all that God is going to do in the next months and years.  

Even when we believe the "destination" of change will be more than we can ask or imagine, the road to change is sometimes bumpy.  

So thankful that God is faithful.  We can trust Him in all things.

Our Abandonment Decree is still in the hands of an Italian adoption agency.  We hope that changes soon.

Our Director is getting ready to make a trip to The Congo mid-February.  We're hoping she'll be able to get some answers in person that are proving difficult via over-seas communication.  We're putting together another care package for Alli.  We're hoping it actually goes to Alli this time. :)

We're trying to wait well.  Some days are better than others.

Again, so thankful that God is faithful and we can trust Him in all things.

Jeff fractured his leg playing basketball.  He's in a walking boot for 2 months.  Good times.

Cheerleading is in full-swing.  Soccer is just gearing up.  I'm the team parent.  Let's not talk about that. :)

I guess that's all the sentences I have for today.  I'll just end with this - because I loved it so much -

God is less interested in right circumstances than in right responses.  

I'm trying. :)

Hello 2012!

The beginning of a new year seems like the perfect time to bring one chapter to a close and begin again. I've never been one to make "resolutions", but I am really big on setting goals. I won't bore you with my long list of 2012 Goals, but I will tell you that I read something yesterday that made me want to do this:   2012 Goals

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves”. – A.W. Tozer

Reading that made me want to do this...
2012 GOAL -  Throw my plans out the window and be open to whatever God may choose to do through me!

I'm praying that 2012 will be an Ephesians 3:16-20 kind of year!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

God Has Done Great Things!

Some of you have asked what ended up happening with our friends who were denied the Visa to bring their little girl home from Uganda.  As you may remember their case was sent to Nairobi for another ruling.  Below is what they posted today!  Thank you to those who prayed for this family.  God has done great things!  

While I laid in bed I began praying over and over that God would allow us to be one of those 40% of cases who automatically get the green light to go get their baby.  BTW, I have no idea where those statistics actually came from that were given to us, but hey, it gave me some numbers to work with:)  I knew it was unlikely and seemed to be the easy answer to our hearts plea, but it is what I prayed…over and over and over.

I walked into the office and opened up my email to see a letter from the Embassy in Kampala.

The subject title was

“Congratulations” and here is what it said:

“You couldn’t have had a better Christmas present than the approval to take Shabi home.

Merry Christmas”

By now I’m shouting for Josh to come in the office and figure all this out with me!  This was all just too good to be true.  We have had set-backs at EVERY step of the way since leaving for Uganda.  Surely this wasn’t what we thought it was.

We went to open the email but it was encrypted and didn’t have any way of opening it.  Those first few minutes were absolute torture as we tried everything we could to open the attached verdict.  We called Josh’s super-smart brother to see if we could forward it to him and see if he could figure it out.  A few minutes later he called saying that he opened it and that it was on its way back to our Inbox.

After refreshing the page 47 times while we waited, we received it…the approval notice for our I-600 and word that our case was on its way back to Kampala!  No questions asked.  No further investigation needed!

We cried.  We jumped.  We squealed.  The kids went absolutely CRAZY!

Then we sat down and thanked God with everything we had for answering our prayers with a “YES” this time!

We have to wait to hear back from the Embassy with a VISA appointment before we can schedule our airline tickets to go pick up our daughter, but she is coming!  She’s really coming home!

We know that we are very fortunate, as many families are getting opposite news from Nairobi, and we don’t take lightly that we are blessed to be able to bring our little girl home in the next week or two.  Friends, know that we are continuing to pray for your families and your processes!  We know our news is bitter sweet as you read it…

A big thank you to those of you who have continued to lift our family up!  Our God is so good.  He’s been so good to us all along.  I still feel like the ripples will continue as He reveals all the ways the Lord has worked throughout our process.

The best is yet to come!

In all things give Thanks!

We got an email from our agency yesterday...here's the latest -
Our lawyer is working on abandonment decrees and Alli's should be coming soon.

Yes, this is exactly what we heard last week...and the week before...'soon' is becoming a word that I just don't like very much anymore. :)
What keeps running through my head?
In all things, give thanks
I find that when I do that, when I praise God for being in control of all things and working in ways that we don't always see or understand - I feel His presence and peace wash over me.
I'm so thankful for that today!

We'll keep you posted.  We're praying that 'soon' comes very soon! :)

I hope you enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving with your family!

He Alone is Worthy

After spending hours over the past few days praying...
for our Pastors in Haiti, many friends who are dealing with sickness and hurting, our friends in Uganda as they struggle to understand why their daughter's Visa was denied and pray for a miracle to allow them to bring her home, for Garren as he continues to heal from a brain trauma and we ask God to allow him to swallow once again, our sweet Alli as she waits for us in The Congo - begging God to allow her abandonment decree to come through so we can move forward...
When words just won't form, when all I can do is sit in silence, here is the truth that echos in my heart -
All Power and Majesty and Glory, to You Alone, Oh God!

We pray boldly.  Not because we always understand His ways, but because we know Who He Is and He alone is worthy!

This is my desire

So encouraged and challenged this morning.

This is my desire...
In times of joy.  In times of disappointment.  In times of waiting.
To be used by You.
(turn off my music at the bottom of the page before listening)

The Happy Day Project comes to an end

This past week has been so good for me!  It's given me the chance to be intentional about taking the focus of myself and placing it on others.  It's amazing how much happier, more content we feel when we're not caught up in being the center of the universe - when we're not concerned with whether everything is revolving around us or not.
As we head into Thanksgiving, I'm reminded how incredibly blessed I am and I am so thankful!

The Happy Day Project - Day 6

I sat at Anni's Veteran's Day Concert yesterday and listened to a gymnasium full of elementary students recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing The Star-Spangled Banner - it was truly moving.  I was seated next to a young mom who served in Iraq.  To watch her face as the students sang and honored the Veterans in attendance sent tears streaming down my face.  I thanked her for her service and she thanked me for remembering.  Freedom is not free and I'm so thankful for the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country so honorably.

The Happy Day Project - Day 5

"Refresh Someone Today"
There is nothing more refreshing than God's Word.  Today I decided to let God's words refresh those around me.  So...I left notes with God's promises and truth on the pillows of my man and all my beautiful daughters (even Alli's is waiting on her little pillow for her), I wrote a family verse on our kitchen chalkboard and I sent a note to Anni's teacher with encouragement and a special verse just for her.

But the most incredible thing is that in going through God's Word, looking for verses to encourage my family and Anni's teacher - I was encouraged...and refreshed.  I love that God's Word just has a way of doing that!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  
Romans 15:13
Praying that you are refreshed and overflowing today!

The Happy Day Project - Day 4

Today is Share a Good Book Day!
There just really is nothing better than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee.  Instead of passing on an actual book to someone today, I decided to pass on a couple of book recommendations to all of you!  Here are two books that have inspired me, challenged me and changed me.

Read them both!  Even if you're not normally a "reader", I promise these 2 books will be worth the effort.  And if you'd like to borrow my copies, I'd love to share.  Happy Reading!

The Happy Day Project - Day 3

Today was Give a Giftcard Day.  God calls us to live generously and this is an area of my life I hate to admit I struggle with.  Not that I don't want to be generous, but it just doesn't seem to flow out of me like it does out of some. I know truly generous people - they are generous with their finances, their time, their talents, their praise and encouragement - I LOVE these people. They can spot a need a mile away and they are the first to respond.

Honestly...this is an area I'm praying God will stretch me in.  Today was a good step.

So thankful today that I serve a generous God who gave His everything for me and daily lavishes grace and love on me!

The Happy Day Project - Day 2

Today is Handwritten Note Day!  I LOVE handwritten notes - I love getting them, I love sending them!  Words are important to me and I especially love the written kind.
My husband always teases me about the length of time it takes for me to write a note, a blog post or even an email (of all things!) - just hit send, just hit send! :)  But it's important for me to feel like I've expressed my thoughts well.  It's important for me to feel like the words I've written are a true expression of my heart.
I guess my problem comes in thinking that every email I send out needs to have me pouring out my heart in it. :)
Oh well...today is the day for pouring my heart and thoughts and prayers into handwritten notes for several special people in my life.
Happy Handwritten Note Day! 

The Happy Day Project - Day 1

Today starts The Happy Day Project (if you're wondering what that is see the link on my sidebar).  I'm excited to spend time this week thinking about others and spreading a little bit of "happy".  Today we were supposed to take a treat to someone.  I decided to take a treat to someone{s} - a very special group of ladies  that I have the privilege of sharing a building with each weekday.  Our Children's Ministry (The Cove @ Southbrook Church) shares a building with our weekday preschool - Southbrook Christian Preschool.  Our weekday preschool's director, Raina, is a great friend of mine and I love serving alongside her in ministry. Since my office is in our Children's Ministry building I get to see the preschoolers and teachers each day of the week as they come to school.
This morning Raina asked if I'd come and share a devotion with the teachers before their school day began - which I was so happy to do! These ladies are amazing and I love having the chance to encourage them and tell them how valuable they are!  I also wanted to bring them a treat - who doesn't need some chocolate goodness while dealing with almost a 100 two, three, four and five year olds?!
I made them Toffee Crack (I honestly don't know what it's real name is)
It's YUM and sooo easy!  Here's the recipe:
Line saltine crackers in the bottom of a cookie sheet (one with a lip). Melt 1 stick of butter - add 1c. of brown sugar to the butter and stir until it caramelizes a bit.  Pour the butter/brown sugar mixture over the saltines.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.  Take out of the oven and pour a bag of chocolate chips over the top.  Let the chocolate chips melt and then spread until even.  Place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  Take it out and break into pieces.  Enjoy!  Just a word of warning - it's addictive! :)

November is Here!

Yay!  November is here - which means that turkey and stuffing and all things delicious are right around the corner... and Christmas is just around the corner...which means that the time for bringing our little one home is just around the corner (we're praying hard!) But I'll post about that another day.
Right now, let's just focus on November!  What better way to start off our month of thankfulness than by spreading around some "happy"?!
There are so many great blogs in the blogsphere, but one that I absolutely love is Joy's Hope.  This coming week I'll be linking to a project that she and a friend are launching -
Happy Day Project (see the link in my sidebar).
I'm excited to take part in this and start off November in such an amazing way - thinking about others and spreading some joy!  If you want to join in the fun, click on the Happy Day Project button in my sidebar and linky up!   

Wednesday Words

Thankful

I'm so thankful today. Thankful for a husband (who's coming home tonight after about a month of way-too-much traveling) that encourages me, challenges me, prays with me and most importantly continually points me to God's truth. Thankful for our daughters (3 here at home and our sweet little one still very far away) who motivate me everyday to be a better mom than I was the day before - to spend more time laughing, dreaming and praying than I do sulking, working and worrying. Thankful for the ministry I'm involved in that keeps me on my knees and continually seeking God's direction, purpose and peace.  Thankful for our adoption journey and the way God has opened our eyes to the world around us.  Thankful for the many people we've met along the way, who have made themselves available to be used by God!  I'm most thankful (on this Thankful Thursday) that God choses to use imperfect, unimpressive people to carry out His purposes!  This is the "group" I want to belong to - those who are fighting for the broken, are holding onto love, are reaching out to the lonely - who are changing the world!

Wednesday Words

Whew!

 

Anni's story

Yesterday was the first day of school for the Thomas girls.  Averi and Abbi were mildly excited and came home mildly pleased with how their first day had gone (you know how it is with teenagers!).  But Anni...she was a different story.

I have to go back a little bit for you to fully understand what an incredible story this really is.  A few weeks ago, our Children's Ministry started a series of lessons on the missionary journeys of Paul.  Heidi, our Elementary Director (and also a great family friend) and her team have done an amazing job of expressing to the kids the opportunity we have each day to be "missionaries" for Jesus - to share with others about Him wherever we are!  Anni soaked in every word and really took to heart what she was learning.  

The day we got her teacher letter from school she was so excited to find out that her best little friend from the 3rd grade was also in her 4th grade class.  She told us that she knew God had answered her prayer that they would again be classmates because He wanted her to do a better job this year of telling her friend about Him.  In the days leading up to school starting, we prayed and Anni "rehearsed" what she wanted to say to her friend as she shared God's love with her.  The first day of school came and Anni was beyond excited!  We prayed together in the morning that God would give her courage and help her be bold in sharing God's love with her friends at school.  When Anni hopped off the bus later that afternoon, it began to bubble out of her that she had talked with her friend at recess and that she had shared with her who Jesus is and how much He loves her and then she and her friend had prayed together.   

Now I have to sadly admit that as Anni was sharing her story, my "adult" mind wanted to analyze what she had said to her friend, what they had prayed together - did she say the right words?  Did her friend really accept Jesus?  And then God pretty much whacked me upside the head (I certainly deserved it!).  Child like faith is so pure - it isn't corrupted by all our highfaluting "adult" thoughts.  Anni's faith yesterday was mighty and strong and I know that it touched the very heart of God.  

As I was driving to work this morning, tears were streaming down my cheeks - to think that our 9 year old, heard God's voice asking her to speak His name and love to her friend - she listened, obeyed and opened her mouth!  It challenged both Jeff and I, how many opportunities do we let pass by where God asks us to open our mouths and we refuse.  

We are so proud of Anni - she has a light and boldness that we know God will continue to use in amazing ways - not just in the future, but right now, in the 4th grade!  

We love you Anni - keep shining for Jesus!

Great Question

I've just started this book...I absolutely LOVE when books hit me square between the eyes and really make me examine where I'm at! 
One of the things I love about our adoption journey is that adoption and caring for orphans is now deeply ingrained on the hearts and minds of our family!  Our prayer is that as we, and thousands of others, continue to share our stories, the body of Christ will wake up and understand what God requires of us. 
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  
James 1:26-27
"Obviously, not everyone is called to adopt, but every believer is called to act. That means not merely feeling sorry for orphans. Sentimentalism is no substitute for action.  Adoption and caring for orphans is about responding to God’s grace properly: first with gratitude toward Him, and then with active love toward others. How is He calling you to love the orphan today?"
Great question.