Finally, its here....

Travel day that is....

We will be leaving on a jet plane, early this Wednesday...Gotcha Day is Monday...Sunday to you guys!

Stay tuned for more details.  Join this site [see that button on the right?] if you want to follow along post by post.

Back to packing.........

Two Incredible Letters

Tick Tock...

So it's been a while since I posted...it seems the time flies by and we have been running around getting more documents notarized, authenticated, and updated.  It is a never ending process.  And although I am trying to patiently wait....

And wait....

And wait...

There is still no travel approval....

so there is nothing left to do except...

Thank God He alone controls the timing...

‘I will offer you the sacrifice of Praise with the voice of Thanksgiving.’

                                                                                                   Jonah 2:9

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Did you know?

Did you know it is estimated that there are between 145 Million and 210 Million Orphans in the world today?

And that approximately 5,700 children become orphans every day?


Those numbers are staggering to me.  And the fact that the total estimated number has a spread of 65 million, should indicate that the problem is much bigger than we can even track.  Or count.  Or maybe we are just afraid to admit.

About 250,000 orphans are adopted annually.

That sounds pretty good until you realize that about 14 Million per year grow up and 'age out' of the system.  Aging out means that although they may still be "child-like" and would not even be able to drive a car here in the U.S.,  they hit an age when the government will not allow them to be adopted.  They are forever left with the status of "orphan."  Those children have seen their friends leave one by one.  They may have been waiting to be adopted for years, sometimes since they were toddlers.  And at some point in the near future, they will be asked to leave the orphanage. Young. Untrained. Unskilled. Unwanted by their home society.

Over the past year, the needs of these children have become a burden on my heart.  A constant prayer.  An inconceivable mountain.



Today, though, I bring you great joy.

And am pleased to announce......that there is one less.

One less orphan.

One less homeless.

One less child that will not know the loving arms of a forever family.

Announcing the pending arrival of.....



[insert drum roll here]

 our little Mei Mei
Estimated arrival time:  December 2011
Birthday:  November 2008
Likes:  music, books, and hopefully us!

Please pray for a quick and easy transition to her new life, and for a healthy girl.

And pray for the other millions of orphans, younger and older, still waiting for their forever families.

If you are interested in adoption, or in supporting some of the wonderful foster homes that bring joy, hope and medical treatment to these needy children let me know, I can give you some information.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

                                                           James 1:27  NLT

Do you know what this is?

At first I could not figure it out....

But somewhere in the back of my mind, that sound was familar....

But it had been soooo long....

Then, I realized...that was the sound of God's good Blessing....

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.                                                                                                                      

Isaiah 44:3

Favorite Things....

One of my goals for the summer is to get a little more organized (set the bar low, and over achieve!)  I found this on the internet one day, and I think it is now one of my new favorite things.  Unfortunately, it only works on MACs...but there is something out there for you Windows guys.

Anyhoooo.....its really cool...you choose what shelf you want to put the book on (i.e. categorize it) and then scan the barcode or input the ISBN .  After you are done, you can download it to a spreadsheet.  It's a great way to keep up with what books your kids have read, or you can use it to keep track of your toys/games and electronic devices.

Let me know if it works for you...

Here's the website:  http://www.delicious-monster.com/

Favorite Things....

One of my favorite things is Carrot Cake.  Since I just made this for a birthday cake, thought I would share it....

2 cups of Flour
2 teaspoons of Baking Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of Baking Soda
1 teaspoon of Salt
2 teaspoons of Cinnamon
1 1/2 cups of Cooking Oil
2 cups of Sugar
4 Eggs Beaten
2 cups of grated Carrots
3/4 cup of Chopped Nuts
1 can of crushed Pineapple

Sift all the dry ingredients together and set aside.
Mix oil, sugar, pineapple and eggs.  Then add dry ingredients.

Mix well, then add carrots and nuts.

Place batter in a greased/floured pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Cool, then frost with your favorite Cream Cheese Frosting.

Enjoy!

If you have a favorite recipe...send it to me.

Summer Fun

I love summers.  For us, it brings a big change in our schedules...and a lot of outdoor activities.

Like swim lessons.....

And sports....

And it brings a lot of birthdays....

      There's our little guys....

Then there's Super-Daddy....

Then there's our country.....

Then there's Grandma....

Happy Birthday to all!!!!