Once upon a time I had like, 2-3 kids and had time to blog about fun things like cloth diapers. Now, I'm just a Mom in over her head with 8 and can seriously only blog every few months a little update! Give some credit for keeping it real ;-)
If you don't already know- we brought our newest daughter (8th child) HOME in early June. Olive Grace, she is 7 (ish) and has been transitioning wonderfully considering what a HUGE impact this is on their little lives. Our home is a little louder (ok, a lot), a little messier, quicker to run out of everything (hello food) and just non-stop. A week after coming home we left for a week long vacation. A day after getting home from that we started VBS at our home church for a week so we have been go, go, go and I just really want an awesome nap!
But really, she has done beautifully. I'm so proud of her and all of the things she is willing to try and do that she didn't even know existed 3 weeks ago. Reason number 3059523948586 why older child adoption is worth it.
Grafting her into our family has been, interesting. When we adopted the boys all our children at home were still all pretty young and go-with-the-flow. Now they are all older and have their own sets of feelings and emotions about it all. A few of them have needed a lot more one-on-one time, a few have needed a lot more attention, and a few of them have acted their feelings out in their behavior and that has probably been the hardest, especially for one of our four year olds who just hasn't been himself. But- time and the Lord heals all and we are all in this together, plugging away at feelings and behaviors and heart issues and learning to choose love and joy even when we don't feel like it.
I mentioned on social media a few days a little something about adoption being isolating and I had a question asked about it, so I wanted to follow up to that on here. Not many people understand adoption AFTER the airport. They grasp the paperwork, they grasp traveling and separation and waiting and then I think that most people imagine bringing your child home to be really amazing and sweet with all of the cuddles and hearts and just basically, completely romanticized. And I do believe that adoptive families have brought that on ourselves because very few families are open about what it's actually like and only post the sweet and the good and the melt-your-heart moments.
Except me :-) These kids are hurting, they are traumatized and in culture shock, sensory overload and again, hurting. They have lost every single thing they have ever known. Their families, friends, "home", routine, schooling, structure, culture, country. Most have experienced some form of trauma in their lives, whether it be abuse or death of a parent, starvation, living on the street, having to beg for their next meal and place to sleep. Now they are all of a sudden living with a family who does not look like them, does not speak like them or cook how they like and we cant communicate well and almost instantly there are so many expectations and everything is just thrown at the child all at once.
Here is your new family, go and be like them and live like them and change all you have ever known.
So no. It's not all cuddles and giggles and sweet family photos, its made up of a lot of hard times and a lot of hard days. It's filled with a lot of work trying to communicate needs and wants, work trying to feel somewhat settled. Filled with comforting grieving and hurt children , filled with trying to establish attachment between us and a bond and sometimes it takes years and years for this to happen.
Because not many people understand all of this, they often do not understand why adoptive families choose to withdraw from their usual outings and commitments, trying to stay at home and away from other people and places.
Because our girl needs to LEARN what HOME is. That this is her home, that we aren't leaving, this is her place. We don't go from home to home and friend's to friend's in this season for a reason.
Because when she hugs you and calls you mama, it may be cute and melt your heart but it's actually sad because she does not know what a mama is and what it means to have a real mom. To her, "mama" is basically any woman who she thinks will or can meet her needs. She needs to learn WHAT a mom is, what a mom does, and WHO her one Mom is. To all my sweet friends, please, do not meet needs or wants for her when she approaches you.
We have one little guy who struggles with attachment, 3 years later. If he is not with us we will find him on someone's lap. All you have to do is smile at him and seem like a nice person and he is all.over.you. I weekly get comments and texts about how sweet he is and lovable- and he is sweet and lovable but it's not sweet or healthy or normal to be lovable with strangers and anyone/everyone. The very qualities that people love about him and think make him such a great little guy are the qualities we are so desperately trying to change.
People don't understand this stuff and it's so easy to feel alone in it all and why having a good adoption community is SO valuable in this journey! PS- I am so thankful to have so many understanding and supportive hearts here and far! We are blessed with a plethora of friends afar who we can reach out to, and our church family has been an awesome support since day 1. This is not a pity party post, but hopefully just informative and helpful.
On a lighter note:
-I ate half of a medium bag of peanut butter m and ms yesterday. How do they end up in my house!?
-I also made coffee 3x yesterday and never got around to actually drinking any of it.
-When we pull into the church parking lot, Olive excitedly shouts "church-y! church-y"! Hopefully this lasts when she realizes that VBS is NOT what our actual church experience is like ;-)
-One of my kids bit their VBS teachers finger today. And I'm like...egh. There are so many people I feel like biting sometimes too.
- My beloved summer reading list is not being worked through nearly as fast as I hoped, I'm only 1.5 books in.
-I'm reading for school to begin again, what is with the summer days being SO stinking long?!
Until next time, :)
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
As cliche as it is, pizza is my most favorite food ever. There is nothing as good as enjoying a thin crust pizza loaded with all the meat and veggies from our favorite pizza shop (eeek my mouth is watering thinking about it!)
But realistically, I can't eat my favorite pizza weekly. Ok, I can't even eat it bi-weekly on my training and macros schedule. Thus began my hunt for the perfect pizza fix I could make at home that wouldn't be loaded with carbs and fat (a pizza I could comfortably fit into my macros for the day).
And I stumbled on cauliflower crust, and I fell in love.
Cauliflower crust pizza? You bet. It's so easy and tastes very close to the real thing for a fraction of the macros. I promise! I even tested it on my dad- he had no idea it was cauliflower until after he ate it and he loved it.
What you need:
-1 head cauliflower (no stalk)
-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (or Italian blend cheese)
-1/4 cup grated Parmesan
-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
-2 eggs lightly beaten
What you do:
-Pre heat over to 400 and line a pizza pan (or pan of your choice!) with parchment paper.
-Steam or boil your cauliflower, then toss it in a food processor to turn it into a "rice" like consistency. Lay it on top of a paper towel afterwards to help remove extra moisture.
-Mix together all ingredients in a bowl .
-Spread on your pizza pan and form your crust, bake plain for 20 minutes.
-Add all of your yummy toppings (I love cheese, pepperoni and as many veggies I have!) and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
ENJOY! I eat this weekly!
But realistically, I can't eat my favorite pizza weekly. Ok, I can't even eat it bi-weekly on my training and macros schedule. Thus began my hunt for the perfect pizza fix I could make at home that wouldn't be loaded with carbs and fat (a pizza I could comfortably fit into my macros for the day).
And I stumbled on cauliflower crust, and I fell in love.
Cauliflower crust pizza? You bet. It's so easy and tastes very close to the real thing for a fraction of the macros. I promise! I even tested it on my dad- he had no idea it was cauliflower until after he ate it and he loved it.
What you need:
-1 head cauliflower (no stalk)
-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (or Italian blend cheese)
-1/4 cup grated Parmesan
-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
-2 eggs lightly beaten
What you do:
-Pre heat over to 400 and line a pizza pan (or pan of your choice!) with parchment paper.
-Steam or boil your cauliflower, then toss it in a food processor to turn it into a "rice" like consistency. Lay it on top of a paper towel afterwards to help remove extra moisture.
-Mix together all ingredients in a bowl .
-Spread on your pizza pan and form your crust, bake plain for 20 minutes.
-Add all of your yummy toppings (I love cheese, pepperoni and as many veggies I have!) and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
ENJOY! I eat this weekly!
Monday, February 22, 2016
adoption updates
-It's been 9 weeks home since leaving the red dirt and leaving one behind, again. I was shocked that we'd have to make a third trip but I am comforted knowing that the Lord goes before me and knows what is best, and that we are not alone in this. We are banned together with many other families in the fight to get our children home. I am so thankful that for now she is being well cared for and loved on.
-Home is good. There is nothing that will make you appreciate vacuuming and bathing your babies and cooking dinner and wiping noses then spending a long amount of time away from everyone and everything that you hold closely. I seriously spent my first 3 days home constantly thanking the Lord for all of it. Holding my babies, being home. It is so good and home is indeed where this mama belongs. (and I have absolutely no idea how I got through 5 weeks away during our adoption process in 2013, no idea!)
-Recovering from Ugandan things like...injured tailbones from boda rides...makes me a legit experienced Ugandan visitor person. I'm just missing the nose ring ;-)
-I don't consider myself a super big "homeschooling is the best thing in the world and the best option for every child" kind of person, at all. But I do so love the flexibility we have. If we did not homeschool I have no idea how we would have made these past two trips happen. Constantly thanking the Lord for paving the way for this to be a real option for our family that we all benefit from.
-This past week has consisted of lots of cuddles, cooking, reading books and playing outside. Again, home is so good.
-It has been months and months since I have seen any progress in my body. I am sure raspberry cheesecake gelato has nothing to contribute to this fact. So this morning I woke at 4:30 (yes, four stinking thirty AM) and dragged myself to Crossfit and joined. Running is just not cutting it for me anymore, obvs! - and my friend reminded me of my long lost love for Crossfit that needed to be rekindled. I agree, it had been almost a full year without it and this morning I loved every single second of it- legs wobbly by the end and all! Snatches and rows and boxes and meter runs and sweat and sore bodies, bring it on.
-My current favorite dinner (that happens to also be whole30 approved) thanks to stalking JH on IG:
grill up onion, green pepper, jalapeño, whatever veggies you have on hand that you like grilled in a cast iron.
add 2 cans of diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted) and let simmer a little bit
make 4 shallow pits in the "sauce" and crack an egg in each
cover and let the egg cook through, you can break the yolk if thats how you like or leave it
once the egg is cooked through- sprinkle with salt/papper/parmesan cheese
feeds two people, adjust as needed
Gahhhhhh the egg comes out perfectly and it's so weirdly good. Like you are eating breakfast for dinner but kind of not. You're welcome.
-I should probably turn in when my eyes are so tired they are watering- 4:30am comes quickly. Thank you all for continuing to pray our girl home- we are overwhelmed at the outpouring of genuine love and concern and the desire to help that our community has shown us. We have good people, thankful to the Lord for each of you!
(Mattresses on a boda)
*In the last 9 weeks since having to come home, we've had to hire an immigration attorney to help us obtain a visa for Olive. Up until this point, our adoption was fully funded, including the 3rd trip. But we've since had to use our travel money for the third trip ($5,000) to pay for the unexpected attorney fees, now leaving us short. We don't expect to travel until late May, and we are continuing to pray that the Lord will continue to provide for this last leg of the process! If you feel led, all donations made through this paypal link go directly into a separate adoption account where 100% goes towards our third trip to bring her home. *
-I took Riley with me this trip and it was the best decision ever. She loved Uganda as much as I do and was brave and adventurous. She was so kind and compassionate to her new sister and I pray it will help their bond once she is home. Bring your kids with you if you can!
-Home is good. There is nothing that will make you appreciate vacuuming and bathing your babies and cooking dinner and wiping noses then spending a long amount of time away from everyone and everything that you hold closely. I seriously spent my first 3 days home constantly thanking the Lord for all of it. Holding my babies, being home. It is so good and home is indeed where this mama belongs. (and I have absolutely no idea how I got through 5 weeks away during our adoption process in 2013, no idea!)
-Recovering from Ugandan things like...injured tailbones from boda rides...makes me a legit experienced Ugandan visitor person. I'm just missing the nose ring ;-)
-I don't consider myself a super big "homeschooling is the best thing in the world and the best option for every child" kind of person, at all. But I do so love the flexibility we have. If we did not homeschool I have no idea how we would have made these past two trips happen. Constantly thanking the Lord for paving the way for this to be a real option for our family that we all benefit from.
-This past week has consisted of lots of cuddles, cooking, reading books and playing outside. Again, home is so good.
-It has been months and months since I have seen any progress in my body. I am sure raspberry cheesecake gelato has nothing to contribute to this fact. So this morning I woke at 4:30 (yes, four stinking thirty AM) and dragged myself to Crossfit and joined. Running is just not cutting it for me anymore, obvs! - and my friend reminded me of my long lost love for Crossfit that needed to be rekindled. I agree, it had been almost a full year without it and this morning I loved every single second of it- legs wobbly by the end and all! Snatches and rows and boxes and meter runs and sweat and sore bodies, bring it on.
-My current favorite dinner (that happens to also be whole30 approved) thanks to stalking JH on IG:
grill up onion, green pepper, jalapeño, whatever veggies you have on hand that you like grilled in a cast iron.
add 2 cans of diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted) and let simmer a little bit
make 4 shallow pits in the "sauce" and crack an egg in each
cover and let the egg cook through, you can break the yolk if thats how you like or leave it
once the egg is cooked through- sprinkle with salt/papper/parmesan cheese
feeds two people, adjust as needed
Gahhhhhh the egg comes out perfectly and it's so weirdly good. Like you are eating breakfast for dinner but kind of not. You're welcome.
-I should probably turn in when my eyes are so tired they are watering- 4:30am comes quickly. Thank you all for continuing to pray our girl home- we are overwhelmed at the outpouring of genuine love and concern and the desire to help that our community has shown us. We have good people, thankful to the Lord for each of you!
*In the last 9 weeks since having to come home, we've had to hire an immigration attorney to help us obtain a visa for Olive. Up until this point, our adoption was fully funded, including the 3rd trip. But we've since had to use our travel money for the third trip ($5,000) to pay for the unexpected attorney fees, now leaving us short. We don't expect to travel until late May, and we are continuing to pray that the Lord will continue to provide for this last leg of the process! If you feel led, all donations made through this paypal link go directly into a separate adoption account where 100% goes towards our third trip to bring her home. *
Friday, December 18, 2015
Little Faith
Today was chilly and beautiful, I am so thankful to get a little bit of cold weather before traveling again! I may have gone over board and dressed my family for the tundra and brought a thermos of coffee on our trip to Chic Fil A because...it's plaid and cute and when else am I going to use it? Everyone should have a thermos of coffee on 20 minute long drives.
I have so much that I want to share about how this entire process has happened, I have written this post about a million times because I just didn't know where to begin. My biggest desire for sharing is so that the Lord is glorified for every single detail because he is the one who did all of this. I don't feel that me typing is going to do his miracles justice, but it's a tool I have and a tool I will use!
This time last year I was starting to think of what my new years resolutions would be for 2015. I had the typical things I have pretty much every year. Run more, run marathons, get to this weight, meet this goal in the childrens schooling, go here, do this, adopt. My husband saw this list and laughed, and told me that I can cross off the last thing because it is not happening, the end. (I have asked him if he is ok with me sharing about his hesitations, he is!)
While my list moved on, my heart didn't. Come spring of this year I felt it heavy on my heart and started looking at waiting children, chatting about the changes in the process. My husband was still saying no way, and he was totally serious. As laid back as my husband is...I can't remember another time that he has ever said no to something I wanted or wanted to do, this was maybe one of the only things I have ever seen him so serious on- it was not happening. We had a baby and many more children than hands, we often felt in over our heads more days than not, I understood his no. I moved on.
Come fall. I couldn't shake it, it had been on my heart so strongly! Why?! Why is this so heavy on my heart? I started praying about it for a few weeks, and then decided to just ask him again one night. His reply:
"Yeah, I've actually been thinking about it for a few weeks now"
What?! Only GOD. And so it began. We knew it was going to be fast, we knew we would need a lot of money very quickly and committing to it made me a little ill. You would assume my faith would be huge and I would be confident and unwavering in the Lord's provision from the way he worked financial miracles to get the boys home. But, turns out I was just as nervous and a wreck about it as I was the first time! I had to constantly look back at each thing he did in our last process to remind me of his goodness and his will in this.
We had our home study in September and in November we were in the airport. We knew it would be fast but had no idea it was going to be this fast! $38,000 was our estimated total adoption expenses, and the Lord provided every single penny through his people and his church from day 1 up until 1 hour before we boarded the plane! That itself is a huge miracle and pouring out of the Lord's love and provision!
A few weeks prior to travel a friend of mine messaged me asking if she could host a Noonday trunk show for our adoption. Yes! She had an ambassador travel to come host it, baked some cookies and friends shopped! Our portion of the proceeds went to our adoption agency and every amount adds up!
Fast forward to the week we had to leave. We were not funded. We had enough to book our flights but we would be walking from the airport because we didn't even have enough to pay a driver to pick us up! I was freaking out a little- a lot. That weekend I paced and I will admit that we began looking into loans and credit cards, because we needed too much right away- no way the Lord is going to pull this off! Come Sunday evening a friend sent me a text asking what we had the most peace about.
Waiting.
I had the absolute most peace about waiting, not applying, just waiting. It didn't make ANY sense at all. Nobody waits until 5 days before they have to board a plane to figure out how they will pay for it. Even some of our friends were freaking out a bit wondering what we were going to do. I feel like there should have been constant dramatic music playing during this time. But his peace passes ALL understanding, right?
Monday morning I woke to an email saying that our first trip was covered. We had enough to travel this first trip! Praise the Lord!! We packed and headed to the airport!! We would still need $8,000 in fees and $6,000 in travel money for the 2nd trip, but we were not worrying about it yet and just focused on getting this first one down.
At the airport I was a nervous wreck. I'm not a huge fan of flying and there was so much unrest in the world at the time. The city we were flying into was on lock down and on level 4 terror alert. The US issued a travel ban and high level travel warnings that weekend specifically warning of airports, train stations etc. I was a mess and a bit scared, but doing it afraid.
We had a few hours before boarding so we had lunch and began watching movies when I heard my name paged to come to the boarding desk. I figured they needed more documents so I grabbed them and went up. A lady then says "I hear you are going on a very special trip for adoption! We'd love to have you enjoy the lounge while you wait for your flight!"
.."how did you know we are adopting?.."
"Oh we have information on all of our passengers."
Ok. So I must have put somewhere that my reason for travel is adoption. No big deal, that or our travel agent called and asked them to do this? We get into the lounge and sit down, the lady takes my phone from me and tells me she needs to connect me to wi-fi.
What?! I know how to connect...wait, why do I need to be on wi-fi? What is going on?! Meanwhile Adam thinks nothing unusual and is already enjoying sushi. I'm definitely the discerning one in this relationship! It was all so weird! The women leave and I begin texting my friends to tell them what just happened and how weird it all is, one replies and says "it's good!! trust me, answer your FaceTime call!"
Seriously people, what in the world is going on in the stinking airport?! We wait for a FaceTime call and answer- the owner and founder of Noonday collection was there to tell us they are giving us $15,000 from the sales of their world adoption day bracelet for our adoption!! WHAT?! I just can't even. Meanwhile the airport ladies are bringing us champagne- is this even real?? It was, because only God could orchestrate something so perfect, only he would provide for our entire adoption, fees and travel DONE, while we are in the airport waiting to board our plane. He said wait and provided in the most perfect way, and right on time. Our friend hosting the Noonday trunk show for us entered us to be eligible for the giveaway, we never dreamed we would win it- only God!
He is a GOOD father, he does GREAT things for those who love him. We are now parents to 8 amazing children and there is no doubt that he didn't place each and every one of them in our family! It only takes a little faith, wait on the Lord. Wait on him. Do you see what huge blessings we would have missed out on had we maxed out cards and taken out loans because we were too afraid and too impatient to wait for him to provide? (Note: i was definitely still afraid and impatient even while waiting. keeping it real.) Wait on the Lord- let him do what only HE does! My favorite verse for this season is Psalm 66:5 "COME! See what the LORD has done! What miracles he performs for his people!" I pray when people see our girl they see what HE has done!
I have so much that I want to share about how this entire process has happened, I have written this post about a million times because I just didn't know where to begin. My biggest desire for sharing is so that the Lord is glorified for every single detail because he is the one who did all of this. I don't feel that me typing is going to do his miracles justice, but it's a tool I have and a tool I will use!
This time last year I was starting to think of what my new years resolutions would be for 2015. I had the typical things I have pretty much every year. Run more, run marathons, get to this weight, meet this goal in the childrens schooling, go here, do this, adopt. My husband saw this list and laughed, and told me that I can cross off the last thing because it is not happening, the end. (I have asked him if he is ok with me sharing about his hesitations, he is!)
While my list moved on, my heart didn't. Come spring of this year I felt it heavy on my heart and started looking at waiting children, chatting about the changes in the process. My husband was still saying no way, and he was totally serious. As laid back as my husband is...I can't remember another time that he has ever said no to something I wanted or wanted to do, this was maybe one of the only things I have ever seen him so serious on- it was not happening. We had a baby and many more children than hands, we often felt in over our heads more days than not, I understood his no. I moved on.
Come fall. I couldn't shake it, it had been on my heart so strongly! Why?! Why is this so heavy on my heart? I started praying about it for a few weeks, and then decided to just ask him again one night. His reply:
"Yeah, I've actually been thinking about it for a few weeks now"
What?! Only GOD. And so it began. We knew it was going to be fast, we knew we would need a lot of money very quickly and committing to it made me a little ill. You would assume my faith would be huge and I would be confident and unwavering in the Lord's provision from the way he worked financial miracles to get the boys home. But, turns out I was just as nervous and a wreck about it as I was the first time! I had to constantly look back at each thing he did in our last process to remind me of his goodness and his will in this.
We had our home study in September and in November we were in the airport. We knew it would be fast but had no idea it was going to be this fast! $38,000 was our estimated total adoption expenses, and the Lord provided every single penny through his people and his church from day 1 up until 1 hour before we boarded the plane! That itself is a huge miracle and pouring out of the Lord's love and provision!
A few weeks prior to travel a friend of mine messaged me asking if she could host a Noonday trunk show for our adoption. Yes! She had an ambassador travel to come host it, baked some cookies and friends shopped! Our portion of the proceeds went to our adoption agency and every amount adds up!
Fast forward to the week we had to leave. We were not funded. We had enough to book our flights but we would be walking from the airport because we didn't even have enough to pay a driver to pick us up! I was freaking out a little- a lot. That weekend I paced and I will admit that we began looking into loans and credit cards, because we needed too much right away- no way the Lord is going to pull this off! Come Sunday evening a friend sent me a text asking what we had the most peace about.
Waiting.
I had the absolute most peace about waiting, not applying, just waiting. It didn't make ANY sense at all. Nobody waits until 5 days before they have to board a plane to figure out how they will pay for it. Even some of our friends were freaking out a bit wondering what we were going to do. I feel like there should have been constant dramatic music playing during this time. But his peace passes ALL understanding, right?
Monday morning I woke to an email saying that our first trip was covered. We had enough to travel this first trip! Praise the Lord!! We packed and headed to the airport!! We would still need $8,000 in fees and $6,000 in travel money for the 2nd trip, but we were not worrying about it yet and just focused on getting this first one down.
At the airport I was a nervous wreck. I'm not a huge fan of flying and there was so much unrest in the world at the time. The city we were flying into was on lock down and on level 4 terror alert. The US issued a travel ban and high level travel warnings that weekend specifically warning of airports, train stations etc. I was a mess and a bit scared, but doing it afraid.
We had a few hours before boarding so we had lunch and began watching movies when I heard my name paged to come to the boarding desk. I figured they needed more documents so I grabbed them and went up. A lady then says "I hear you are going on a very special trip for adoption! We'd love to have you enjoy the lounge while you wait for your flight!"
.."how did you know we are adopting?.."
"Oh we have information on all of our passengers."
Ok. So I must have put somewhere that my reason for travel is adoption. No big deal, that or our travel agent called and asked them to do this? We get into the lounge and sit down, the lady takes my phone from me and tells me she needs to connect me to wi-fi.
What?! I know how to connect...wait, why do I need to be on wi-fi? What is going on?! Meanwhile Adam thinks nothing unusual and is already enjoying sushi. I'm definitely the discerning one in this relationship! It was all so weird! The women leave and I begin texting my friends to tell them what just happened and how weird it all is, one replies and says "it's good!! trust me, answer your FaceTime call!"
Seriously people, what in the world is going on in the stinking airport?! We wait for a FaceTime call and answer- the owner and founder of Noonday collection was there to tell us they are giving us $15,000 from the sales of their world adoption day bracelet for our adoption!! WHAT?! I just can't even. Meanwhile the airport ladies are bringing us champagne- is this even real?? It was, because only God could orchestrate something so perfect, only he would provide for our entire adoption, fees and travel DONE, while we are in the airport waiting to board our plane. He said wait and provided in the most perfect way, and right on time. Our friend hosting the Noonday trunk show for us entered us to be eligible for the giveaway, we never dreamed we would win it- only God!
He is a GOOD father, he does GREAT things for those who love him. We are now parents to 8 amazing children and there is no doubt that he didn't place each and every one of them in our family! It only takes a little faith, wait on the Lord. Wait on him. Do you see what huge blessings we would have missed out on had we maxed out cards and taken out loans because we were too afraid and too impatient to wait for him to provide? (Note: i was definitely still afraid and impatient even while waiting. keeping it real.) Wait on the Lord- let him do what only HE does! My favorite verse for this season is Psalm 66:5 "COME! See what the LORD has done! What miracles he performs for his people!" I pray when people see our girl they see what HE has done!
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Come and See what the LORD has done!
"Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!" Psalm 66:5
We all knew this was coming...
If I could cry, laugh and shout all at once, I would! Because God is so good. Because tonight I sat at my friends kitchen table mulling over ideas on how to come up with the rest we needed and as I drove home I mulled it over with the Lord.
This weekend was an emotionally messy one! It was HARD to be one week from traveling and having no idea where money was going to come from! There were so many times I questioned if we made a mistake saying that we would go early when our agency asked. I wondered if we prayed about it enough, did we miss a sign or something? Were we not hearing him correctly? Because he poured out a lot of money in two weeks and we knew it was him confirming our steps. Then things kind of stalled and I kind of freaked out. Why, why do I ever doubt his goodness and provision?
We are blessed beyond measure by the people who were obedient and generous and helped us do this in three weeks. It is the absolute best thing to be surrounded by a community of believers who love adoption, who were willing to give what they had whether it was time, an item, money or prayer and to be a part of a church that operates the way the Lord designed it to!
In seven days we board a plane for Uganda and there will be one less orphan!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens!
Praise him from the skies!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all the armies of heaven!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
4 Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
5 Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being.
6 He set them in place forever and ever.
His decree will never be revoked.
Praise him from the skies!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all the armies of heaven!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
4 Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
5 Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being.
6 He set them in place forever and ever.
His decree will never be revoked.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you creatures of the ocean depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds,[a]
wind and weather that obey him,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,
11 kings of the earth and all people,
rulers and judges of the earth,
12 young men and young women,
old men and children.
you creatures of the ocean depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds,[a]
wind and weather that obey him,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,
11 kings of the earth and all people,
rulers and judges of the earth,
12 young men and young women,
old men and children.
13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong,
honoring his faithful ones—
the people of Israel who are close to him.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong,
honoring his faithful ones—
the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Sunday, November 8, 2015
His Great Faithfulness.
Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! Psalm 66:5
It has been a whirlwind these past two weeks! Exactly 12 days since we found out that we are traveling soon. 12 days ago we said yes having no idea how we were going to be able to travel in a month. It was easily one of the most nervous yes's I have ever given. Because saying yes meant that we may not be home with our kiddos for Thanksgiving. That our "perfect estimated timeline" we had planned for this adoption would be thrown out of the window. That we would need to pay our agency $14,000 AND have $5,000 to travel with..in four weeks. I questioned if yes is the answer the Lord wanted us to give right now, because we could have said no and waited and continued along our man made timeline of events for this adoption.
But saying no would mean we were too scared, too nervous, and didn't trust the Lord enough to know that he would make it all work. Afraid that he wouldn't come through, that there wasn't enough time for him to move the mountains that we needed him to move to make this possible.
But we knew that to not be true, because we've seen God pour out money like water, we've watched him move paperwork and provide approvals in record timing. How could we have such little faith after seeing firsthand the miracles he had already performed in our lives?
So it was a yes. And when you say yes to the Lord, he is faithful, so faithful.
$13,100 is where we are with our fundraising as of right this second. $13,100! In 12 days, because the Lord is faithful and loving and loves orphans. He provided us with an amazing community who genuinely wants to help and give. He moved hearts to provide items for an auction, stirred hearts to give and this is exactly what it looks like when we let the Lord use his people to accomplish his work.
So, here we are. Our dossier has already been sent to Uganda and we should know our exact travel dates by the weeks end! We are also waiting on our fingerprint appointment for immigration, that should come any day now.
We are $900 short of having all of the foreign fees paid.
We are $5,000 away from having travel money (two adults traveling for 7-10 days)
$5,900 and 20 days ahead of us. Look at what the Lord has already done! We are confident that he is going to complete the work he began, for we know that he leaves nothing undone!
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Standing Still
I love my husband. Normally, he is the brake to my gas pedal. I'm the go go go, let's do this and this and adopt this child and go here and give this and live in wild abandon. He is the...slooowwwwww down one. He is the steady one. He is the constant one. Sometimes its frustrating, but in times like these I am so grateful for his guidance and opinion, because there are times where I get us into situations that are a little too crazy even for me. And I get nervous, and I doubt, and I wonder if we can really do this and if I've gotten in too deep. But I am able to look to him- and as always, he is my steady. He doesn't worry. He doesn't fret. His faith is so much bigger than mine I wonder why our roles are not switched.
Our court affidavits are sitting in my email inbox.
Yep.
Court.
Affidavits.
Once we sign those and send them in, they go to Uganda. And when they get to Uganda, they are filed. And when they are filed we have a court date. In short, we are traveling before Christmas to go to court! So soon. We knew it would be quick. We knew. Our adoption with the boys was 5 months start to finish. By the time we travel (for the first trip) it will be 4 months. By the time we travel to bring her home, it will have been 6 months.
And we have peace that the Lord is telling us to go and not to wait. But I'm still a mom and we still have a lot of money to raise, so while I know we are in the Lord's will- I am also panicking a little bit over the logistics and finances in it all.
I look to my husband. "Are we SURE this is the Lord? Have we prayed about it enough? Do you feel absolute peace about moving so quickly? Are you worried about the money?! You're not even a little nervous?! "
His reply..."I have peace, I'm not worried".
So calm, so sure that the Lord is going to do what we are asking of him. So sure that this is what the Lord is asking of us. It leaves me so thankful for his peace and certainty.
We are traveling BEFORE CHRISTMAS, friends. In 4-6 weeks, and we need your help, again. I know that we have already asked so much of you all. I know that so many of you have already given of your time, resources, money and prayers for Olive and us (in which we are so grateful!). We are asking you to come alongside us again and help us move this mountain out of the way. Many hands make light work.
The need:
We need to have foreign fees paid, $14,400
and travel money for a quick trip to court and back, $5,500.
Total in 4 weeks: $19,900.
How:
If we can use the amazing tool of social media to find 500 people to give $39 in the next four weeks, we can move this mountain in no time. I know that I alone have more than 500 people on my friends list.
HELP:
SHARE this every single day with your friends and family. Share our adopttogether profile daily with your friends and family. Ask and plead with your community to donate.
GIVE $39. If you've already given, search your heart and ask the Lord if he would want you to give again. If you don't have $39, give what you can.
PRAY Believe with us that the Lord is going to provide. Pray that he stirs people's hearts to give and praise him because we know that he has already made a way for this to happen! He's going to do this.
We are a few weeks away! We believe that all of the money in the world belongs to the Lord and he will stir hearts to give according to his will for this.
Here is how you can donate, safely, fee free, and tax deductible:
https://www.adopttogether.org/potterfamily
Thank you, friends! For coming alongside us and helping us move this mountain!
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.”
1 Sam. 12:16
Our court affidavits are sitting in my email inbox.
Yep.
Court.
Affidavits.
Once we sign those and send them in, they go to Uganda. And when they get to Uganda, they are filed. And when they are filed we have a court date. In short, we are traveling before Christmas to go to court! So soon. We knew it would be quick. We knew. Our adoption with the boys was 5 months start to finish. By the time we travel (for the first trip) it will be 4 months. By the time we travel to bring her home, it will have been 6 months.
And we have peace that the Lord is telling us to go and not to wait. But I'm still a mom and we still have a lot of money to raise, so while I know we are in the Lord's will- I am also panicking a little bit over the logistics and finances in it all.
I look to my husband. "Are we SURE this is the Lord? Have we prayed about it enough? Do you feel absolute peace about moving so quickly? Are you worried about the money?! You're not even a little nervous?! "
His reply..."I have peace, I'm not worried".
So calm, so sure that the Lord is going to do what we are asking of him. So sure that this is what the Lord is asking of us. It leaves me so thankful for his peace and certainty.
We are traveling BEFORE CHRISTMAS, friends. In 4-6 weeks, and we need your help, again. I know that we have already asked so much of you all. I know that so many of you have already given of your time, resources, money and prayers for Olive and us (in which we are so grateful!). We are asking you to come alongside us again and help us move this mountain out of the way. Many hands make light work.
The need:
We need to have foreign fees paid, $14,400
and travel money for a quick trip to court and back, $5,500.
Total in 4 weeks: $19,900.
How:
If we can use the amazing tool of social media to find 500 people to give $39 in the next four weeks, we can move this mountain in no time. I know that I alone have more than 500 people on my friends list.
HELP:
SHARE this every single day with your friends and family. Share our adopttogether profile daily with your friends and family. Ask and plead with your community to donate.
GIVE $39. If you've already given, search your heart and ask the Lord if he would want you to give again. If you don't have $39, give what you can.
PRAY Believe with us that the Lord is going to provide. Pray that he stirs people's hearts to give and praise him because we know that he has already made a way for this to happen! He's going to do this.
We are a few weeks away! We believe that all of the money in the world belongs to the Lord and he will stir hearts to give according to his will for this.
Here is how you can donate, safely, fee free, and tax deductible:
https://www.adopttogether.org/potterfamily
Thank you, friends! For coming alongside us and helping us move this mountain!
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.”
1 Sam. 12:16
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