Quick update

 Wow, what a week!!!  Bless' malaria became quickly better with many thanks to each of you for praying for our little guy.

Then, on Friday we read the words we had been waiting for:  Your petition for Bless and Joseph has been approved!!!!  We have I600 approval for our sweet sons.  Now we wait for a visa packet pick up appointment.  This can only be done on Wednesdays so our prayer is we can do that this week.  Another HUGE step closer to our boys and bringing them home!!!

Lastly, as I was reading Jonah to the three little kids last night they were enthralled.  Afterwards, Helen wanted to pray.  Now, everyone knows she LOVES to pray and her prayers are MOVING!!! As she spoke these words, my eyes opened and the tears came. What a precious, sweet prayer and so, so true.  Thank you, God, for the constant reminders you have placed in my life!

Helen:  "Please, God, help the orphans.  Please give them food and water.  please give them what they need, God.  And please bring the orphans into our home so we can love them." - from a 4 year old who lived it and remembers 

Laughs and trust

Today was full of basketball games for Keenan and Samuel and lots of laughs in the middle.  

Our baby girl who is constantly "posing".  She brightens each day and I cannot imagine a time when she wasn't here.  Her girliness shines through and she LOVES to have Sissy (Sydney) paint her nails, which she does at least 5 times a week.  Now that is a good sister!!  Seriously, though, she is a ball of fire, but worth every second!

Samuel, who had never played basketball until he came home, has become quite the little player.  Of course, he has a huge advantage because he plays with Keenan ALL THE TIME.  How do you get better FAST???  Play against an older brother who shows NO MERCY!!!  He is loving his season and can always be found dancing on the court.  :-)

(BTW, this is his cool look as he waits for Keenan's game to start.)

Now, Aiden is a character in himself.  As everyone took their turn for a pic, this is what I get.  "Wait, Momma, take it like this," all while giggling so hard I thought he would fall flat on his face.  That kid makes us all laugh so hard!!  And to think how hard we fought just to get him here when I was pregnant with him!!

This morning as I woke I found two missed calls from our Feeding the Orphans volunteer in Ghana.  My baby is sick.  He has malaria, but thank God he is receiving the treatment he needs.  Where did my heart go when she told me?  To God.  To how He loves him so much more than I do.  To the spiritual warfare raging in our home as we follow Jesus. To prayer and to ask for healing over his little body.  To the rest of the family that was gathered at the table eating breakfast this morning so we could all pray together.  To a hug from Keenan as he told me how surprised he was that I wasn't crying.  It is so hard to be away from sick little ones, but the greatest thing I have learned over the last two years and the adoption of these four precious, African children is they are not mine.  They are His and I have been given the gift of being their mother.  I have prayed over them, laid them in my hands and then laid them at my Father's feet.  They are His and I trust Him at all costs.  So tonight I pray for my youngest son, the caretakers as they provide what he needs and for my I600 approval that will get us one day closer to our two boys.  

Sledding and lots of other fun

What an amazing day with my kiddos!!  Today was the refreshment and laughter we all needed so much.  The kids went outside sledding for hours (and no, we didn't have tons of snow, but if the ground is frozen they are out there!!), they laughed, loved one another and just had fun.  Their smiles were back. Their fear was gone.  Thank you, Jesus!!  And thank you, everyone, who has been praying for their hearts!

Tomorrow might be different, but either way we are going to see Jesus' face in all of it!! We are going to see His joy and praise Him through the attacks!!  

For now, my babies are all sleeping and I'm going to bed, too.  

The joy of the Lord is my strength. - Nehemiah 8:10

Bigger Picture

The last few days have been difficult.  Hard.  Our family is under heavy spiritual attack. God has asked us to step out in faith.  Again.  What option do we have?  None because we love Him so intensely.   We are excited about the journey in front of us.  At times like this, though, the enemy decides to go into overtime.  He is working nonstop to deter us.  And the hardest part?  Watching my babies be under attack.  We are speaking truth and love into their hearts, encouraging them to lean upon HIM as He will never leave them nor forsake them.  He will stand beside them no matter what. What a beautiful adventure awaits us all!!!

On adoption news, we are still waiting for our I600 approval from the US Embassy in Ghana.  We are reminded God has perfect, incredible timing. This precious face reminds me daily.

It is still hard and my heart aches to have them here.

And this sweet boy is having a birthday in February.  By only a miracle from our God, he could be home for his 8th birthday.  Pray with us, will you?

One more favor.  Please join us in praying for our dear sweet friends who have been waiting so long that my heart hurts for them.  They are waiting for a court date, for court decrees, for I600 approvals (with us).  Please, please pray with us for these precious children who long to be with their forever families.  Pray for mommies and daddies whose arms are empty and aching.  Pray for brothers and sisters to understand God's perfect love in their wait.