I've Got Nuthin'

No court. Again. Stick a fork in me baby...I'm done!

This whole thing would be easier if I could somehow manage to have no expectations of success. When we signed up for Haiti we knew we were in for a two year wait (at least). However, with Ghana we had high hopes. Hopes of getting to court in June. Hopes of a homecoming in August or September.

August is right around the corner and we are sadly having delay after delay after delay. I know people don't have any control over how things run in another country. I definitely know this process is out of MY hands, but this momma's heart has a big aching hole in it where a little girl with big brown eyes belongs. I ache to hold her. I struggle to hold onto hope.

Be not far from me, O God;

Come quickly, O my God, to help me.

Psalm 71:12

A New Tradition

For some time now we've had a secret admiration for a tradition embraced by the Rockstar family. We've been on a search for some really ugly glasses without success. Nothing, until now, has seemed quite right.

However...the other day we saw this awesome DJ Lance Rock emsemble on super clearance we knew it was meant to be. So if you happen to stop by our house, we'll be sure to take a super cool photo of you and add it to our wall of fame.

We're not really afraid of being dorks. In fact, we embrace it.

The Girls Room

I caved just a little and decided to paint the girls room in preparation for the day when I can order their bunk bed. I feel like I need to keep busy planning and getting ready for the day when we finally get good news. We still have no idea why we haven't gone to court yet, but every week I pray it will soon be our turn. The beginning of each week is a new opportunity to hope for the best.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

And the Moral of the Story is: Don't Hide Your Alligator Under Your Nuts

I had a great day in Madison today spending time with the Burnett family! I had the pleasure of going to Haiti with them last September and we became instant friends.

We met at Olbrich Gardens and had a great time visiting and looking at the displays. We left for lunch and then came back to let the kids play a bit and say our goodbyes. It was a very mild mannered day and there were no obnoxious laughing outbursts by any of us (insert sarcasm here).

As we were leaving for lunch Mr. B got concerned because he couldn't find the little glass alligator I had bought him (for a mere 35 cents). I told him it wasn't a big deal and a couple of the kids offered to go back in and get him a new one. As we were waiting, Kristina noticed a shimmer of the green glass in his hand along with a few acorns he was holding. She told him the alligator was in his hand and he loudly exclaimed, "my alligator was hiding under my nuts"! We had several chuckles about that one.

Todd just about gave me a heart attack on the drive back to the gardens. Kristina and I rode together with Mr. B and Jessica while Todd took the rest of the kids. I had mentioned earlier that I wasn't sure if one of my turn signals was working and while we were waiting at a stop light Todd got out of their van and ran up to my open window proclaiming that both of my turn signals were working. I thought for sure we were getting car jacked...what a guy!

It was such an uplifting day to be surrounded by wonderful friends. A true blessing indeed!

Am I Only Dreaming?

I was having a conversation about adoption tonight with a dear friend. She is also an adoptive mom and it's always refreshing to talk with someone who REALLY gets it.

I think I'm reaching the point in this process where I'm questioning whether or not it is actually happening. Like maybe I'm just dreaming that we are adopting. Maybe it's all just a very unpleasant figment of my imagination. The weeks go by and it's almost like you have to disconnect because you just can't fathom that you have no news yet again.

I did, however, have my first real dream about Mercy. She was sitting in my lap and I was braiding her hair. Her hair looked really good and I was doing it like an old pro (thus, how I knew it was a dream...ha ha). I could hear her laughing and see her smiling.

I pray that some day this adoption dream comes true. Lord, let it be!

Happy Birthday Precious One

You are loved...

No Court = No Bunkbeds

I've scoured and searched, visited furniture stores, checked craigslist & eBay to find a decent wood bunk bed at a good price. Although this is still more than what I would like to pay, I think I've finally found what we are going to order. The built in bookcases will be perfect for additional storage since their room is very small.

I am really wanting to get the girls room in order, but I just can't make myself order the bed until I find out we passed court. I scored a huge deal a couple of weeks ago at Target when I found a comforter matching Delaney's that was on clearance for $14.99 (from $60). That find made my heart feel all warm & fuzzy inside. I will be so excited to paint and get their bed set up!

Next chance for court is Thursday. The Bunk Bed King will have to wait 'til then...

How Much Left to Raise?

A dear friend asked how much we had left to raise for our adoption. I am THRILLED to report all of the fees with our agency have been PAID IN FULL by the grace of God.

We started out with NOTHING. Literally...nothing. We have paid out over $13,000 in expenses by saving, donations, and fundraisers. It is such a miracle and I truly stand amazed at the way God has provided for this adoption.

So what's left?
Our Visas..............................$160
Mercy's Visa.........................$400 (is that right?)
Our Airline tickets...............$2800
Mercy's plane ticket............$700 (just a guess - maybe more)
Misc. expense in Ghana......$1,000 (again, a guess for hotel/food/etc.)

$5,060
- $140 (recent donations)
- $231 (brat fry)
- $580 (garage sale)
= $4,109 remaining

We recently found out we did not get the grant from Shaohannah's Hope. We were disappointed, but when looking at how far we have come we feel assured that God will provide the remaining funds at just the right time.

O Sovereign Lord!
You made the heavens and earth
by your strong hand and powerful arm.
Nothing is too hard for you!
Jeremiah 32:17

Garage Sale in Progress!

It's a beautiful day and our garage sale benefitting the "Mercy Fund" is in full swing! We've made close to $300 so far and the people just keep on coming. We've been blessed with a lot of donated items and are so grateful to everyone praying for some successful days.

It's Pokey Time!

I am not really looking forward to it, but tomorrow we get our shots at the travel clinic. Jeff has already had the hep series, but I have not. I know we will get our yellow fever shot and the CDC website also recommends the typhoid vaccine.

It's pretty sad that our only alone time this week includes a series of vaccinations. Nothing says romance like a hypodermic needle!

Possibility

There is a chance that we could have court this week. I am praying and hoping it is true. It will feel so good to know Mercy is legally our daughter. We covet your prayers. Lord, let it be!

Something Special in Our Town

Each year our local hardware store puts an American flag (or two) in every yard in our town. That's right, EVERY yard. I love to look up and down the streets and see all of the flags. I think it's something very special.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Psalm 33:12

A Cord of Three Strands

July 3rd is a special day for us. We started dating, got engaged and got married all on July 3rd. This special anniversary day for us was also shared by Jeff's grandparents, his brother, and his nephew!

I think I'm officially getting old because when I looked at our wedding album I thought we looked like babies. We had no business getting married at such a young age. What did we know about the world? What did we know about living sacrificially for each other? What did we know about anything at all? The truth is that we probably didn't know much (even though we thought we did), which is probably best. If you knew up front all the obstacles that you would be facing you might never dive in - it would seem too overwhelming. We were young and in love and that's all that mattered. A love built first on friendship that grew deeper and more meaningful with time.

As we celebrate 16 years of marriage (21 years together), it is strange and wonderful to think I have lived more years with him than without him. We have had struggles and we have had great joy. God has bound our hearts together and I am thankful for the life we have made by God's grace.

Two people are better off than one,
for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.
But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together
can keep each other warm.
But how can one be warm alone?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,
but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
Three are even better, for a cord of three strands
it not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12