minus one orphan

Here is a precious video from my friend Kristi. The Lord brought us together very early in her adoption process and she has become a sweet friend. The Lord brought it all full circle when Moody was on her flight home from Ethiopia.

She is passionate about adoption, Ethiopia and orphan care! Watch and be blessed.

Colorado is lovely by the way! :)

50 years

Moody's parents are celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss!

They are taking the whole crew here (Aspen) to celebrate!!

I hit the lottery when it comes to in-laws!  We are excited about spending time with Moody's parents, his brother and family and his sister and her family in the mountains.

The timing is perfect for me to clear my head, be still and listen to the voice of the One that called us to adoption and will bring our son home at the perfect time.  

Praying for many court dates still to come before the courts close!!  He redeems all things for our good and His glory- rest in that. :)

re-learning

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

The following was a post that I wrote last July- almost exactly a year ago.  I was getting anxious about Abe's court date.  Here I am again and yet the Lord is having to gently remind me the same things again.  I guess I'm not a very good student!

My sister used to say, "you should try to get it the first time, because the Lord will bring it back time and time again until you do!" Isn't that the truth?  Here I was earlier today- being anxious about the courts closing. 

I love Francis Chan's definition of stress and worry from Crazy Love. (life altering book if you haven't already read it)

Stress- says that things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.

Worry- implies that we don't trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.

OUCH! Why do I doubt? Why do I not trust that our precious little boy will come home at the perfectly appointed and ordained time?  I learned these lessons with Abe.  I continue to learn them as I see this gift of a child that He gracious gave to us work hard each and every day to accomplish new skills.  He is the God of the Universe- He will bring about our court date in His time. 

I am thankful for a patient and loving Father that continues to teach me the same lessons over and over again.

Will you please join me in praying for a court date before the closure?  There is the cutest little boy in Ethiopia waiting for a mom, dad and 5 siblings to come and bring him home. My heart simply longs to have him here, amidst the chaos of Team Alexander. :)

(post written last July)

do not worry about tomorrow!
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

"Do not worry about tomorrow! This is not a suggestion, but a command. I divided time into days and nights, so that you would have manageable portions of life to handle. My grace is sufficient for you, but its sufficiency is for only one day at a time. When you worry about the future, you heap day upon day of troubles onto your flimsy frame. You stagger under this heavy load, which I never intended you to carry.

Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of trust. Anxious thoughts meander about and crisscross in your brain, but trusting Me brings you directly into My Presence. As you thus affirm your faith, shakles of worry fall off instantly. Enjoy My Presence continually by trusting Me at all times." (from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)


I was convicted today of trying to figure out all the details- when we will travel, who will travel with us, where we will stay, what route we will take to get there, and this entry put my perspective back in line. I know that at the perfectly appointed time, we will pass court, travel and finally be united as a family. We are prayerful that we will pass court the first time on the 24th!!

camp pics

Abe loved the pool!

Spending time with one of Abe's prayer warriors- Bec.  What a treat. :)

paint ball- what the boys were doing when we got our referral

Zo-Zo, Caden (much happier than he looks), Cruz-man and Happy Abe

Seriously, this is the face he would make ANY time the camera came out!  I love the joy this kid has for life.  It sure teaches us on a daily basis not to sweat the small stuff.

quick update

We are still in Missouri and will head home tomorrow. Family camp was amazing- a relaxing and restful week with the team. We are staying with the Neal's for a night and will drive home tomorrow.

I was so surprised to receive the call at camp. We were enjoying our first full day of camp, and it never occured to me to check my phone. The boys were out playing paint ball, the girls were running around,and I was in the room giving Abe a bottle. I looked at my phone and saw that I had a voicemail. I still wasn't thinking referral at all..............."Hi Emily, this is Sara" and my mind went blank. I started fumbling around, looking for a pen, freaking out that Moody was out playing paint ball! I called her back and got her voicemail.

What seemed like forever (actually only about 10 min)-- she called me back. I told her that Moody was out with the boys and I would call back as soon as I could. I was pacing back and forth, found the girls and we waited for the boys to come in through the front gate.

They finally returned and we called Sara back. We then proceeded to spend the next 20 minutes trying to find internet while Sara waited patiently on the phone! I bet she (and all the other guests) thought we were so nutty. :)

Finally we saw our boy and read all about him. He is so beautiful! We are in love. :)

My sweet mom put a package together to send with our buddies, the Fournets. They leave today.

More when we get home.

REFERRAL !!!!

Gwen here ... I am guest blogging because Emily and Team are in the sticks w/ no computer access ...

THEY HAVE THE REFERRAL TO A BEAUTIFUL 2 1/2 YEAR OLD BOY !!!!

more to come from Emily later !!!! Praises to the Father

back to camp

We are headed back to camp!  Another year at Kanakuk Family Kamp and we can't wait.

The Lord providencially has 4 Ethiopian babies attending this term!  

The Neal family 

The Gibson family

It is going to be a great week!  I will be praying for successful court dates, referrals to be given, etc.