A Messy Life

I stumbled across this post today and with a big cheer I thought, "She gets it."

You see, life isn't always this pretty pristine picture. Sometimes I'm not the friend I should be, emails don't get answered for lack of time, laundry may pile up, and well...life can get messy.

If you have time to sit down and read this post, it's worth it.
"Meditations on a Messy Life"

Immigration!

Just at FYI for those praying with us, our immigration approval came today! We are overnighting it (our agency will authenticate)! HAPPY DANCE!

PRAISING GOD FOR HIS CONTINUED BLESSINGS!!!!

What this means: Our dossier (paperwork to China) is complete and only needs to go through the remainder of authentication before going to China. Hopefully we can get our "Log In Date" by the end of July. Praying for travel before Christmas.

My grandmother (a few states away), Polly, went to the ICU last night. My mom is flying out.

My grandma has pneumonia and very low kidney function. Can you please pray that God's Hand is on her and that He be glorified through all of this? That is what my grandma would want.

We are also praying that we get a chance to speak with her in ICU since we don't have the funds to fly out.

Thanks friends...I know we've been asking for so many prayers lately and we really are so thankful for each of you.

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We continue to pray for immigration approval this week, as we hope to bring Jael home as quickly as possible.

Timeline, Email Update (Journey to Jael)

Tonight we are sending an email to friends and prayer chains. I thought I would share it with you all.

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It is in the path God has placed before us that we feel privileged to walk today.

Some days we just have to laugh. It is not unusual to have 3, 4, or even 5 surprises (storms) some days. We've seen days recently that have held even more. As the days come to a close, we often find ourselves shaking our heads and chuckling.

There must be something amazing our little girl is going to do for satan to not want her to come home so badly.

Instead of the head long dive that satan is determined for us to take, he is showing his defeat, as God is not only glorified.... but our adoption itself proceeds with a pouring out of blessing and protection. It's like a golden flow that can't be stopped. Not to get too mushy, but it is SO COOL!

Yes, we are weary at times, but there's a lot of humor in this too.

Before we share our adoption update and ask for prayers, we wanted to apologize for not getting back to those who have sent words of encouragement. We have read them, over and over, when the storms roll. They have been a blessing to us and one of these days we will sit down to reply and share with you just what a blessing they are. For those that have asked, please do send/forward these emails to other prayer warriors. Every prayer is cherished and if there is any way we can just praise God through this, "WOO HOO!"

Update: Our dossier (paperwork that goes to China) is now with our agency (minus one important paper~immigration approval). They are now sending it to state level and to the Chinese embassy for final authentication today. Once the final paper is placed in this packet it will go to China for translation and submission.

Timeline:
If our immigration approval comes back REALLY quickly, then we can possibly travel by December. It looks as if December to February (to travel) is the average timeline. We hope to be "logged in" (paperwork to China and accepted) by the end of July. That's cutting it close, but possible.

Immediate Prayer Requests:

*Our approval from immigration comes VERY quickly and we are logged in to China quickly.

*That our paperwork flies, quicker that we imagine, and we can bring Jael home quickly.

*That Jael has stories and words of God whispered in her ear and that her heart is prepared for us.

*That God's protection continue to cover our family (including Jael) and this adoption.

*For a God given peace.

Thank you again for all your prayers. They are cherished and felt.

Having a Blast in Christ,
Thomas, Kat, Tom, Sarah, Anna, Max, Bekah, Rachel, and Gabe
"He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:26

Video Showing the Hope for the Hurt Child

This is amazing. Don't let the title keep you from watching this all the way through. It's the story of this young man that just amazes me (and makes me cry for the child he was and the protection he needed).

Our State Level Authentication~Adoption

In the life of our adoption, yesterday was a big day for us. It was the LAST thing we needed to do for the dossier....state authentications. The rest is done by our agency....sigh. Now, praying for immigration approval (which can sometimes take quite awhile). Praying for speed that we can't imagine!

My brother and I drove up to the capital city with Tom and Sarah.

As usual, we tend to make our own entertainment.

Sniff....so proud of my bro.

Yes, we were in the authentications unit... waiting.
Yes, somehow we had huge glasses with us. Yes, SOMEHOW they ended up in the stroller.





The teens just played as we did a little site seeing. Strangely, they were aiming at each other. Should I be worried?




Today we are thanking God that He has brought us this far. God is so very good.

Water and Lice

Last week we had some fun with some friends...

This week we made our own entertainment...destroying worlds in our hair. Though only one child could've taken a census in their hair, we treated everyone "just in case".




My older kids would NOT let me take pictures of them, but my teen daughter played hair dresser with my "treatment". Yep, that is ALL of the picture you are going to get. I looked SCARY!

P.S. My kids are playing "car family" and I just heard my son say, "NOOOO, the girls DON'T have lice!"

FINALLY!!!

So, our employment letter hung us up, BUT....today we finally received a new and correct one. That means...(drum roll) the dossier is DONE except for immigration approval. WOO HOO!

Can you pray the approval come SUPER quick??? Can't wait to meet you Jael!!!!

PRAISING GOD!!!!

Ethiopia~Economic News

We've seen the effects of poverty and the inability to afford a simple meal. My heart aches as I think how this will effect the "least of these".

"Ethiopian Annual Inflation Rate Increased to 34.7% in May"

Check Out "Blessed are the Un-cool"!

This is a wonderful post. A Facebook friend shared this and it's so very true. Thanks Kama!

"Blessed are the Un-cool"

Taking a Breath (Adoption of Jael)

I feel like I need to take in a huge refreshing gulp of air right now. I'm weary of the storms, but if God can be glorified by these storms...then I pray for God's will above all else.

I started praying, just yesterday, that God's power just knocks down all these walls...those that plot against us or want to hinder us in any way.

This is what the last 24 hours have looked like.

*My husband came home from his professional life and where he is meeting a figurative "brick wall". This has not happened before, not in 11 years we've lived here. We are praying this "brick wall" comes to a loving and adoring relationship with Christ. We are praying that this "storm" is knocked down.

*My mother-in-law called from across the state having serious health issues. My husband's sister (who lives near us) called 911 from here. Apparently she's had a series of mini strokes (large one last Sept.). She's been discharged from the hospital with a new med and a doctors appointment in two weeks. The area is not within her insurance network and it seems like they MAY be more hesitant to treat her.

*It looks like the microwave door broke.

*My husband is trying to aid someone whose account is overdrawn. His name is on the account so that if anything happens he can help them. It's almost fixed, but we are seeing if a power of attorney will work instead of his name being on the account.

*Anna woke up throwing up this morning.

*My spiritual sister is facing some really tough things and my heart is aching for her.

*Gabe and Max woke up croupy sounding with runny noses (not the clear kind).

*We are still awaiting our employment letter and approval from immigration (pending as of today). We hoped it would've happened Monday, but...

*One of my children came up with lice this morning.

*Finally, and I don't know why this was the straw that broke...my heart...harder than the fire or losing the diamond in my wedding ring....the twins got to my Bible. They shredded some pages. I have taped back together the pages, but this is my one physical possession that is so very important to me. It hit me hard...maybe because it's just after everything else. His Word is my treasure.

This is not unusual for the battle we are fighting to bring Jael home. This is more like the norm. I am weary, yet I know God has got this. I feel beaten, yet God reigns and will see us through.

Someday I hope to finish writing about all the things we have faced...just in the last three months. We've never had a journey like this. It's all worth it though. Jael is worth it. Following God is WAY worth it.

Praying for God to bind the hands of those who would stand against us. Praying for His might.

Weary, tired, but will ALWAYS be praising.

"LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger. "
Psalms 8:1-2

God Gave Her Fingerprints *Shaking Head*

Do you remember me mentioning my friend who is adopting two little guys from China?

She basically has been asked if she works with her hands (her fingerprints are nonexistent). She always has to jump through crazy and amazing hoops to get her immigration papers approved (without fingerprints).

God has been working, we thought through smoothing the paperwork route. Today we stand in awe...

She HAD to get her fingerprints done to show that she has none (again) and to bypass so as to get on with paperwork.

TODAY...today her fingerprints came back approved.

GOD GAVE HER FINGERPRINTS MY FRIENDS. GOD GAVE HER FINGERPRINTS!!!!!

Congrats Donna, Rich, and little princesses! Soon two handsome princes will be joining your family!

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Please send up a prayer today that my husband's employment letter comes back correct. It came back incorrect last week (for China's requirements) and needs to be corrected. We are also praying for immigration approval to come any day. We are approaching our deadline for everything to be authenticated and sent to China. Can you please pray everything goes smoothly and is blessed with correctness and speed? Thank you!!!!

Repost~Epiphanies and Lies (God is Reconstructive, satan is Destructive)

I needed to remember this post today...to remind myself. I thought there may be others that needed the reminder today too.

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Oh, it's not that bad. Today was one of those days. I didn't sleep well last night. One child chose a small measure of defiance to test limits. It was the first day back of home school. It was a day where I was tired and struggling with many instances of others "not thinking it through" and little hurts. In other words, a day like we all have occasionally.

Yet the difference in today is that when satan started working on me, I knew he was lying.

"Your a failure"
"Your not good enough"
"They're pretending to like you, but they really don't"
"See, no one listens to you. You're a lousy parent."
"Your not pretty enough or skinny enough"

The lies rest in the lap of satan. Oh, we are all far from perfect and we all have times in our lives where we can't get a grip, but God doesn't tell us stuff that just breaks us down to the point of giving up. That's satan's job.

God is reconstructive (even when it hurts). satan is destructive.
God is honest in His instruction, telling painful truths to reconstruct us to His tool.
satan is the master of lies, telling us lies in a way that will only cause us harm.

God causes life.
satan causes death.

God numbers our days until we can be with Him.
satan tries to cut short our days with depression or suicide.

There's a pattern.

God says things such as, "You are turning from me and letting others opinions be your master."
satan says, "You are a failure, AGAIN, no one likes you."

God says things such as, "Your children are not listening, just as you have not listened to me, in their rebellious spirit."
satan says, "You're no good as a parent. You've made a mess of your kids."

God says things such as, "Your body is mine. You need to grow and treat it with the respect I want you to. Do not let food be your master."
satan says, "Your too fat/too skinny, your shaped like a kangaroo on steroids. Man! You are so ugly."

God says things like, "I'm proud of you my child."
satan says things like, "You don't need God. You are amazing on your own."

God says things like, "I gave you my promise."
Satan says, "You will fail."

God is reconstructive.
satan is destructive.

I've been recognizing satan's lies for what they are lately. It only took me 39 years. When the ugliness and shattering lies rack through my brain, trying to ruin me...I have to ask myself, is this destructive or reconstructive? When you have your answer, you know exactly where it came from.

I realized this recently in another area of my life, as you can see in the post
"The Lies satan Tells Us About Adoption".

Now I am realizing this in the rest of my life. My life is not my own, why would my Savior want to destroy it? Now then, satan has a good reason. We are not his children. He has been disinherited. We are now claiming exactly what he wants.

I ask you to join me in remembering (again) that God loves us. He claims us as His own. He is a jealous God. He wants our untarnished devotion. He cherishes our spirits. He knows our flaws. He will not bend easily to the shedding of His children through the lies of the great deceiver.

God is our shield where satan's lies cannot penetrate...that is when we rest in Him.

"...so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." I Corinthians 2:5




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If you have a prayer request, I will be trying to list them at the end of just about EVERY blog. Just comment or email me and I will list them. If you have a private one, just let me know and I will hold it up to God in prayer, but not place it on our blog.

Please let me know any updates or how God answers. God is just so AMAZINGLY cool and a privilege to watch answer!!!

June's Immanent Adoption Prayer Requests:
*Please pray for my husband's employment form for China, the notarization was not exactly as needed and needs to be redone (possibly tomorrow?)
*Please pray our dossier authentications continue to come together flawlessly and quickly.
*Please pray that our immigration approval comes quickly and that everything proceeds to China correctly done and with speed we can't imagine.


Our Personal Prayer Requests

*For the waves at my husband's place of business to smooth and calm. For GOD to show him where he can bring GOD the most glory.

*That all paperwork may be quick and without flaw (in only a way the God can do) and both U.S. immigration approves us quickly and the Chinese government.

*For all "hiccups" to be banished and a hedge of protection be surrounding this journey.

*For our tax return and finances to fly that we may get started on our journey at a greater speed and that all finances come together with smoothness and speed. Even with the above blessing, we still need the tax return to come through. We have received partial, but are still waiting for the remainder.

*Please pray for our daughter across the world who faces each night alone, not knowing a family awaits her. Please pray that she feels GOD's presence, GOD's hedge of protection around her, that her heart is prepared and ready for family, and that Jesus fills her heart and helps her to be ready to attach to her family. Also for her biological family and their peace and knowledge of a God that loves them so very much.

*Please pray that GOD protects us from satan's attacks. When you follow GOD, satan always attacks. We have had constant life "storms", thus the verse above.

*Please pray for the drama surrounding a situation not directly effecting us or in our immediate family, but none the less...drama. Please pray for peace surrounding this situation.

*Most importantly, that GOD be brought glory and His will be done in all of this.

Prayers for Our Brothers and Sisters

If you have a prayer request, I will be trying to place them at the end of EVERY blog. Just comment or email me and I will list them. If you have a private one, just let me know and I will hold it up to GOD in prayer, but not place it on our blog.

*Please pray for Eden, a little blessing from Ethiopia, who has a life threatening disorder.

*Please pray for Carrington who just arrived in March from Eastern Europe. She came home at 11lbs and three years old. Update: She is home from the hospital now and doing SO much better, but could still use prayers!

*Please pray for little Selah, Lorraine's daughter, who has hydrocephalus and issues cropping up regarding this.

*Please pray for Judah, a little one from Ethiopia that is on a medical visa here in the United States. He has hydrocephalus and the doctors are evaluating him for treatment that is not available there. GOD is working miracles, can we pray for some more?

*Please pray for my friends Michelle and Amber who both have parents struggling with cancer. Michelle also has an Uncle fighting cancer as well.

*Please pray for Donna and her family as they are starting the adoption process at the same exact time we are and have their preliminary approval as well and are waiting for the preliminary approval on a second beautiful blessing!

*Rolando and Julia (Guatemala-It has been over five years.), AND Junior and Diamoh (Liberia) to be able to finally come home to their families and that these countries open to legitimate adoptions.

*Renae-For the continued transition of their sweet family. Their daughter joined their family this year and they are starting the process of another amazing journey to Ethiopia! They need their tax return as well to start this journey!

*Daniel (Liberia) and Jeremiah (Taiwan)- for their continued health issues. GOD's blessings and Hand on them and their families.

*My friend (unnamed, GOD knows)... foster son, his family, and all who will make or influence decisions on his behalf that GOD's will be done in every aspect of his life. Also, currently, for his serious health issues.

*For Eliz and their family as they bring home five beautiful blessings with Down Syndrome.

*Please pray for a friend Paula and their family as they face many storms.

*Please pray for Gena's teen son to come to know CHRIST.

*Please pray for our friend whose daughter Kennedy is having seizures. Please pray that they cease and whatever is causing them never returns.

*Please pray for the Young family~That God would grow them to be the parents their son needs, that the remaining funds would be provided, that their adoption would proceed unhindered, and that their fears would be relieved.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

The Princess and the Frog~Life at Our House

....or should I say wildlife at our house?

Our prince was found under a rock in our yard.

I'm thinking I convinced her not to kiss him?

Medical Update, Dossier, and Our BEAUTIFUL kids :)!

Well, our medicals were processed, done, scanned/emailed, and approved by our agency. I don't know how to tell you how much of a relief that was! Yep, fires don't phase me, but paperwork hiccup...just maybe (wink).

As long as we get our employment letter notarized tomorrow, we are on track for our dossier being finish by FRIDAY...THIS FRIDAY. We then go to state authentication and pass it on to our agency (whew!). Hopefully by this time next week the paperwork will no longer be in our hands.

A little bit of happy dancing going on here!

So, from our blog to yours...

Big hugs and a little bit of family!!!!


Today Sarah and Rachel decided to get cute in the car. Who could resist those faces?


Gabe got in on the action!


Park is always the best with family. This is Anna and her Uncle Steve (my bro).


Of course the park is the PERFECT place for pictures!


But the cuteness and goofiness didn't stop there.


...or the COOL goofiness...lol...


Cool Anna (notice her daddy in the corner)...


Lastly, our goofy girls, Sarah and (honorary crazy person) Lexi (we've hijacked her family and won't let them go). We love you girl!

Covering the Cross? (A Venture into the World Climate)

As I sit here at my computer, I open up to Nehemiah 4:4-5

"Hear, O our God, For we are despised; turn back their taunt upon their own heads, and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from Thy sight; for they have provoked Thee to anger before the builders."

This subject has been coming up over and over lately.

It's a hard subject to digest, but one that needs to be faced.

Has God removed the blessing on this country? Have we, as well as other nations, provoked God's anger in our denial of His truth, of Him?

I don't know the answer, but I wonder. It feels like something is happening in our nation. It feels like the world climate is changing.

Natural disasters have always happened. The media brings about more knowledge of the devastation that is taking place.

The frequency that these events are occurring seems to be accelerating though. The frequency of those in power ignoring the consensus of the people is being sped to fruition.

Unfortunately, most importantly, so is the denial of God and the denial of His Son. As a nation, I could not have fathomed the extent of the denial of Christ.

It's hard to hear the words and see the actions of denial. It hurts.

Our nation has never attained perfection, but the path it's on...honestly...scares me.

We seem, as a nation, to be compartmentalizing our relationship with God. He stays at home or at Church, but not in our job, in our voting, in our conversations.

Yes, I'm generalizing, but here's where it gets harder. We have chosen a leader that made the statement that had to be the most offensive to God that I can fathom. Granted, I'm limited in what I can fathom.

He stated that Christ is not the only way to God. He said this, the world heard it, and yet many voted him into office thereby compartmentalizing their...our faith.

I am not saying I'm any better. I have lain here with my face on the desk, begging for mercy.

What I'm saying is that it scares me what we've done.

Is it beyond our mentality to think that God could be angry at a nation? Is there somewhere in the Bible that says He can't discipline? Are we beyond deserving it?

Yes, Christians have suffered and will. We are not beyond suffering. Consequences of our and other's sins DO overflow. We just have the ability to glorify Him through it...to honor Him. The trials are, in a way, Him trusting us to show the world a different way. A spot light has been given, whether wanted or not, it's what we do in the spot light.

God is our Creator. He has deemed us worthy of love. I don't always understand why, but He has.

We have ignored His absolutes. We have put aside His leading. We have covered the cross, saying it's a landmark, instead of the only bridge to salvation.

God has a right to be angry.

Words on the Trauma of Adoption from a Christian Perspective

This is one of the best written posts on this subject I have read. Most of you have heard me say that there is always loss in adoption. There is always trauma.

If you have a moment please read....

"No Such Thing as Adoption Without Suffering"

Medical for China Hiccup

I am so odd...lol. I'm ok when there's a fire, I lose the diamond in my wedding ring, our refrigerator dies, a child puts liquid detergent (in an effort to help) in our dryer, but....it's the small things that drive me batty.

Today I received in the mail my medical for China. There were four thing that need to be corrected (two shot dates missing, my vision missing, and it was not notarized). I just cried. Yep, it can be fixed easily. Yep, I can take it down first thing in the morning and MAYBE get it back tomorrow...maybe...if a notary is in and they have the time.

I'm weary though. I am ready to have our dossier for China DONE. We are ALMOST there...almost. Adopting from Russia and Ethiopia...well, the paperwork was our least favorite part.

Our medicals were (hopefully still will be) supposed to be done this week. My husband's employment letter just needs to be notarized (today or tomorrow). The only things left after that are things that we can do at home. It is feasible that our dossier will be complete by the end of the week.

Can you continue to pray for our medicals and for our dossier to be complete this week? Just weary friends. I DO know it will be okay. We stand in confidence that God is bringing our Jael home. Just weary....

Please also pray for my close friend's mom. She has cancer and she is now in pain everywhere. They are afraid she won't be with us for much longer. Please keep my friend Amber, her husband and children, and ESPECIALLY her mom and dad in your prayers.

Thank you prayer warriors. Thank you for being able to come to you.

The Value of a Special Needs Child...The Value of What Matters

Commenting Issues??? Know the Fix...I Think

If you've been like me, seriously frustrated at not being able to comment on some AMAZING blog posts in your blogging family. I THINK I now know the fix. Apparently the issue is everywhere and the following works.

*Click on "Tools" at the top of your screen.
*Click on "Internet Options"
*Go to the "Privacy" tab
*Click on "Advanced"
*Make sure the following are checked.
First party cookies-Accept
Third party cookies-Block
CHECK "Always allow session cookies". That's the important one.

Hopes this works for you! Actually...hoping it continues to work for me (smile).

A Stunning Post....

A stunning post that brought me to my knees....

My heart is wide open, please read...

Quick Reminder for Prayer!

My husband Thomas is headed to the doctor for the China medical. Please pray it goes great, test results come back really good, and both our doctors have the paperwork completed in our hands VERY quickly!

Not a Prayer Request~A PRAISE~Donna's Family~Adoption

Did you read yesterday's post? I had a prayer request today...a big one for friends.

But SERIOUSLY?!!! It's been ANSWERED!!!! Before the prayer request went out, God answered it.

My friend, basically, has NO fingerprints.

NO JOKE!

Every adoption is a logistical and maze like journey for Donna's family. Two failed attempts at fingerprints before going to different governmental levels...of which they required fingerprints and two failed attempts.

Side note: Once you have been initially accepted as a parent of a child in China (and do not already have your dossier/paperwork there), you have six months to get your dossier together. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but when you have to wait and wait for fingerprints...nightmare.

Yet God worked yet again. She now has the letters in hand that she needed to get AFTER her failed attempt at fingerprints with immigration.

To tell you how big this is, her appointment is Monday for fingerprints...her FIRST appointment. She has yet to have a failed attempt (let alone two) and ALREADY has the letters she needs.

Donna's steps with immigration will be just like ours, straight forward...simple. WOW...

It almost doesn't make sense. It's just so obviously God.

I'm so excited to be able to share with you, not a prayer request, but a praise. Instead of praying for fingerprints, God laid out a different plan.

God is awesome people...AWESOME!!!!

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For those of you that didn't read yesterday's post, please pray for Thomas' physical tomorrow. We've been so focused on recovery after the fire that our health went on the back burner.

Please pray that he can get the needed information and medical VERY quickly. Please also pray the tests come out wonderful!!!

~~~~~~~~~

I'm currently thinking/writing a post on not giving up. I'm weary, satan has hit us repeatedly, but all of us...fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, cannot give up. God is there. God is answering.

~~~~~~~~~

"He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:26

~~~~~~~~~

If you have a prayer request, I will be trying to list them at the end of just about EVERY blog. Just comment or email me and I will list them. If you have a private one, just let me know and I will hold it up to God in prayer, but not place it on our blog.

Please let me know any updates or how God answers. God is just so AMAZINGLY cool and a privilege to watch answer!!!

June's Immanent Adoption Prayer Requests:

*Please pray for our medical forms for China, that my husband's tests results are wonderful and that BOTH our medicals are acceptable for China.
*Please pray our dossier continues to come together flawlessly and quickly.
*Please pray that our immigration approval comes quickly and that everything proceeds to China correctly done and with speed we can't imagine.

Our Personal Prayer Requests

*For the waves at my husband's place of business to smooth and calm. For GOD to show him where he can bring GOD the most glory.

*That all paperwork may be quick and without flaw (in only a way the God can do) and both U.S. immigration approves us quickly and the Chinese government.

*For all "hiccups" to be banished and a hedge of protection be surrounding this journey.

*For our tax return and finances to fly that we may get started on our journey at a greater speed and that all finances come together with smoothness and speed. Even with the above blessing, we still need the tax return to come through. We have received partial, but are still waiting for the remainder.

*Please pray for our daughter across the world who faces each night alone, not knowing a family awaits her. Please pray that she feels GOD's presence, GOD's hedge of protection around her, that her heart is prepared and ready for family, and that Jesus fills her heart and helps her to be ready to attach to her family. Also for her biological family and their peace and knowledge of a God that loves them so very much.

*Please pray that GOD protects us from satan's attacks. When you follow GOD, satan always attacks. We have had constant life "storms", thus the verse above.

*Please pray for the drama surrounding a situation not directly effecting us or in our immediate family, but none the less...drama. Please pray for peace surrounding this situation.

*Most importantly, that GOD be brought glory and His will be done in all of this.

Prayers for Our Brothers and Sisters

If you have a prayer request, I will be trying to place them at the end of EVERY blog. Just comment or email me and I will list them. If you have a private one, just let me know and I will hold it up to GOD in prayer, but not place it on our blog.

*Please pray for Eden, a little blessing from Ethiopia, who has a life threatening disorder.

*Please pray for Carrington who just arrived in March from Eastern Europe. She came home at 11lbs and three years old. Update: She is home from the hospital now and doing SO much better, but could still use prayers!

*Please pray for little Selah, Lorraine's daughter, who has hydrocephalus and issues cropping up regarding this.

*Please pray for Judah, a little one from Ethiopia that is on a medical visa here in the United States. He has hydrocephalus and the doctors are evaluating him for treatment that is not available there. GOD is working miracles, can we pray for some more?

*Please pray for my friends Michelle and Amber who both have parents struggling with cancer. Michelle also has an Uncle fighting cancer as well.

*Please pray for Donna and her family as they are starting the adoption process at the same exact time we are and have their preliminary approval as well and are currently completing their dossier.

*Rolando and Julia (Guatemala-It has been over five years.), AND Junior and Diamoh (Liberia) to be able to finally come home to their families and that these countries open to legitimate adoptions.

*Renae-For the continued transition of their sweet family. Their daughter joined their family this year and they are starting the process of another amazing journey to Ethiopia! They need their tax return as well to start this journey!

*Daniel (Liberia) and Jeremiah (Taiwan)- for their continued health issues. GOD's blessings and Hand on them and their families.

*My friend (unnamed, GOD knows)... foster son, his family, and all who will make or influence decisions on his behalf that GOD's will be done in every aspect of his life. Also, currently, for his serious health issues.

*For Eliz and their family as they bring home five beautiful blessings with Down Syndrome.

*Please pray for discernment and clarity for Gena and her family as they seek God's will about a future adoption. Also, please pray for their teen son to come to know CHRIST.

*Please pray for our friend whose daughter Kennedy is having seizures. Please pray that they cease and whatever is causing them never returns.

*Please pray for the Young family~That God would grow them to be the parents their son needs, that the remaining funds would be provided, that their adoption would proceed unhindered, and that their fears would be relieved.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8