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Last 2 slideshows from Ethiopia Email me for link to others-alexander@integrity.com

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Monday, March 31, 2008

gift

Is this cute or what?  "Superman was adopted"

It is the first gift that baby B has received and I adore it.  It is from my sweet, Africa- loving, huge- heart- for- adoption friend, Rainey.  Thank you.

She picked it up at a Gladney event this past weekend, and I can't wait to see my little man sporting it!!
Friday, March 28, 2008

a few more details

I finally feel like my feet are coming back down to the ground! We have been floating for days. The outpouring of love and encouragement has been overwhelming.  I told Moody on Tuesday that I wanted everyday to be like this- it just felt like a huge group hug!  He quickly reminded me that days like that weren't exactly "reality"!! 

We really are so blessed to have friends and family that support us and already love these kids. Their pictures are prominently displayed on several refrigerators- I love that they make people smile and are getting prayed for by so many.


On that note.  We would ask that you would continue to pray for them and the details that still need to be done.  We are quickly trying to get our dossier reviewed (had to be FedExed from Ethiopia) to the new agency.  Pray that very few changes will need to be made so we can get it back in country and in line for a court date!  We want to get them home soon. :)


Pray for their transition.  Especially our daughter. That the Lord would be their comfort and strength in difficult times. That He would provide for their every need.  I know they are going to be well taken care of but mama bear is ready to do it herself!!

One sweet story- our Avery has prayed for a baby this whole time.  She had big crocodile tears when she was playing with and feeding Silas B. his bottle- she looooonged to have a baby of her own.  I continually reminded her that we wouldn't be receiving a referral of an infant.  I knew where we were on the wait list and I knew several families ahead of us were specifically requesting infants in their sib groups.  I just didn't want her to get her hopes up.  She said, "well, I can pray for a baby."  Oh the sweet child-like faith.  God heard the prayers of an 8 year old girl and blessed us with an infant boy!  God is in the details my friends.

I have seen and experienced the presence of God more clearly through this experience than any other time in my life.  I have felt His hand on difficult days and felt a peace to wait on Him and His perfect timing.  It is so clear now, He was having us wait for them.  For the two perfect kids for our family.  I have also been blessed by new friendships.  I have rejoiced with many of you that have already traveled to bring home your children.  I continue to pray for others as they await referrals (Lori, it is coming.  Jamie, hang in there) and those that are still waiting to get through court.  This is a precious community.

We are so thankful for each of you! 
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

soli deo gloria

God has blessed us with two precious kids! 

It is different from how we have pictured it from the beginning of this whole process. It didn't come via a referral from Wide Horizons, but through a different agencies waiting child list.  We are now in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl and her baby brother.  

It is all perfectly orchestrated by Him.  Each and every detail. 

We are in love.


"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18




Sunday, March 23, 2008

He is risen!!!

The tomb is empty! He has risen, just as He said!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

communion

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed
Isaiah 53:5



Wednesday, March 19, 2008

hallmark- making a difference

Ok, I give! The "keep the hair" outnumbered the "lose the hair". I am hoping he will smell the sweet taste of victory, and then shave in a ceremonial-peace-treaty-sort-of-way! I can still hope. :)

Please watch this short video that shows the difference that Hallmark and (RED) are making in the lives of these women in Mali. The wrapping paper and greeting cards that you purchase from Hallmark's product (RED) are literally changing lives. Good stuff!



Sunday, March 16, 2008

help me, please!

This is my beloved, Moody.  The man of my dreams, and this is what he has looked like most of our married life. :)

This is Moody now.  We went to Colorado and he didn't shave, great by me, we were in the mountains!  He said he wanted to keep the scruff for a few extra days, again, fine by me.

Then he went to work and heard these words from multiple patients and their mothers.  "Hey, Dr. Moody, you look like a rockstar!", "Dr. Moody, you look like a movie star with the facial hair!"  

Can you see the problem here?  So the few extra days have turned into several weeks and I haven't heard a word of when it might actually come off! I think my man is pretty stinking hot with short hair, long hair, etc.  I do not like to kiss the scruff, and therefore- think it should go. I have decided to get some outside participation. So, please let me know what you think.  Do you like the scruff or my clean cut guy? Be honest, even if it means that I have to kiss grizzly Adams awhile longer.


Clearly there is nothing new on the adoption front, or I wouldn't be filling my time with opinion polls of Moody's facial hair. Praying this is the week!! :)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

waiting, trusting, and hoping



I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, and out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40: 1-3

This psalm begins with patient waiting and ends with a new song. There are many examples of waiting in Scripture. Simeon was one such man; he is described as "waiting for the Messiah." The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that "he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." His waiting consisted of eager expectation. In Hebrew, the root word for wait is tiqvah which means hope or expectancy. Wait or qavah expresses the idea of "waiting hopefully." Simeon was waiting for the Messiah; we are waiting for the Messiah's return. Simeon is blessed after his long wait with the privilege of being able to hold and embrace Jesus in his arms. We have also been given that privilege as we receive Him as Lord.

Have you been crying out to the Lord for something? Have you been waiting for a long time for deliverance? Look up today and find hope in your God. Trust that He will come to you. May you be filled today with renewed hope and eager expectation in the Lord. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25). May you be filled with a new song of praise today!


(My mom is getting devotionals by Elizabeth Robinson for lent via email.  She thought I might relate to this one on "waiting"- thank you mama.  This truth is indeed encouragement to the soul as we wait.)


Sunday, March 9, 2008

one more

My friend Gwen just sent this to me. She has a HUGE heart for orphans, and has been a rock to me through this process.  Take a moment to watch and let me know what you think.



Friday, March 7, 2008

you know you are adopting when


This picture has little to do with this post. It was taken after the boys black belt test last spring, but I think a post looks better with a picture. :) Karate is mentioned below.

I was eating dinner at Tony's (local, family-friendly Italian restaurant) tonight with Hill, Avery, Issy and Jess (Moody is in Atlanta and Wick was at a birthday party--just in case you were keeping tabs) and a couple walked in carrying a precious little boy that I thought was probably adopted.

We started talking about karate because his son was wearing his Gi and my kids all go to the same studio. blah, blah, blah.....I asked them about their son as I was playing with his chubby little hands. He is 9 months old, from Guatemala and they have been home for three weeks.

I then did what any normal person would do in the middle of a crowded eating establishment after hearing that wonderful news---I BURST INTO TEARS- honest.

Michelle, (we exchanged names after my breakdown) :) sweet thing, gave me the biggest hug! When I finally pulled myself together and only half of the restaurant was staring at us, I told them that we were in the middle of an adoption from Ethiopia.

For all you Gladney families-- they live next door to Scott Brown. Their 5 year old son plays with the Brown's Ethiopian daughter all of the time. Isn't that cool? I apologized several times and they kept saying that it was ok and they knew how I felt. They were very encouraging and kind, but I'm sure questioned my sanity somewhat.......come on, who wouldn't?

Hoping the rest of the weekend is a little less emotional.  On a very happy note, please read my friend Bethany's blog.  She held her sweet Leul for the first time today.   


God is so good.  I just got off the phone with Laurie .  That girl encourages my soul.  Thank you Lord for that blessing, and allow her to have the most relaxing weekend!!



Tuesday, March 4, 2008

mixing it up


I am a creature of habit and tend to not love change, but I am just plain giddy about my new blog make-over!  As we are quickly approaching 7 months of waiting for a referral (that originally we were told to expect a 1-6 mo wait), I am beginning to realize that my little rituals aren't working! 

For example: Moody and I made a deal that we would only get our hair trimmed and not full on haircuts until we got "THE CALL" and I have been wearing my ONE.org and Product(RED) bracelets daily.  Now, do I really believe that wearing a bracelet and not cutting my hair is going to produce a referral?? NO, but it was a way to make the wait fun and interesting.  I was definitely disappointed when we ran out of paper chains- it was a great wake up call that this isn't MY rodeo.

I have said from the beginning that I believe that God is in control and I believe that His timing is best.  If I am totally honest, I just thought the two would be on the same page.  So as we begin new, uncharted, paper chain-less days- I thought spicing up the blog might be a fun idea.  I saw my sweet friend Tracie's last night and I had serious blog envy! Check out the link to the right that says, created by blog for a cause.

Do you think I should get my hair cut too?


Sunday, March 2, 2008

reality


Tomorrow marks a new chapter in the lives of those that attend Alexander Academy! Our dear Miss Stacy has left us. Actually her husband got a great job in New York and they moved last week. The kids are very sad, and we will all miss her dearly. She was such a blessing to us. She helped me t.r.e.m.e.n.d.o.u.l.y with our schooling. I will now take on the full responsibility of teaching a Kindergartener, 3rd grader, 4th grader and 5th grader! Oh, I'm having an anxiety attack just typing that now. :)

I am definitely feeling like my plate is full, but I am clinging to "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." I Cor 12:9-10....continuing to trust in Him for all things......school, referrals, schedules..........



We will miss you SAM!!!

I am also sorry to report that we have run out of paper chains:( My husband had the last guess of Feb. 26th. I laughed when he picked that date and unfortunately, I am not laughing now! So we had a fun little guessing game with no winner. BUMMER.

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"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 becoming polluted by the world." James 1:27
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