Road blocks...

Why does it seem like just when things are moving, and you feel certain you are following after God's heart a road block comes your way. One after another. I'd be lying if I haven't stopped and wondered if I am truly doing God's will. Because in my mind if I am, then this should be much easier. Right? 

I was sooooo certain, and mostly I still am, that God has called us to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. We knew that coming up with the money would be our biggest challenge. It has proven to be a struggle. We don't have extra income. I took a part-time job so that we would have enough income. And still even then we struggle. I don't know where we thought the money would appear...maybe that money tree in the backyard would finally bear fruit? All I know is God is bigger than my issues with money and if it is His will, it would be on His bill.  Like that? haha. Just didn't think it would take this long...guess I have to remember it is also on God's timetable, not mine. 

Disney World!

So the opportunity came up for me to fly to Disney World and meet up with Kyle who was in Orlando for work. Well of course I couldn't pass that up! We used Kyle's airline miles he's saved up with Alaska, so my ticket cost a whopping $10! We were sooooo thankful for the chance for this mini-vacation! It was AWESOME! Thanks to my parents for watching the kids for us, the kids have raved about all the fun they had with Grandma and Grandpa and they can't wait to do it again!

Kyle and I went to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios on Thursday, then went to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom on Friday and home on Saturday! Like I said, quick trip but oooooh so refreshing! We loved Disney! Animal Kingdom was my favorite of the 4 parks, its like a zoo on steroids! They have new rollercoaster there called Everest that was really fun! Not having the kids with us did make us a little sad, we missed them and saw so much that they would have LOVED to see! So someday we'd like to take them! It was also nice to not feel like we had to get it all in, we just went at our own pace and saw what we wanted. We didn't wait in any long lines, fast passed the rides we really wanted to get on, and just walked around taking it all in. Soooo fun! It was great to just spend some time with Kyle, we get so busy with the day to day we don't always have time to connect. So getting away and having some time to ourselves was just the thing!

Happy Easter!

 

Easter blessings!

The tomb is empty, our hearts are full! Celebrating His resurrection and wishing everyone a blessed Easter.  He is not here; He has risen, Just as He said. Matthew 28:6

Easter bunnies...

The kids got a little furry Easter surprise a day early. After Brynlee's soccer game we went out to Grandma and Grandpa R's for lunch. They had a surprise waiting for the kids. Oh my!  Were they surprised! 3 adorable 9 week old bunnies were waiting for them. The kids went nuts! Jumping, screaming (freaking poor bunnies out) and tears. I don't know if I've seen Kaelyn like that before, she couldn't form words she was so happy and her eyes welled up with tears of joy. She looked at me and said, "I'm crying because I'm happy." haha! Well I didn't think she was sad. Silly girl. 

Brynlee quickly said, "I'm naming mine Waffle!" She had the name all picked out. Well because truthfully the girls have been talking about getting a bunny for awhile now and maybe I've looked around on craigslist a time or two to see what was out there.  And we might have come across a funny looking bunny named Waffle that Brynlee saw a picture of and loved the name. haha! Just maybe that is why.  So Garret announced his was going to be called Fable as we were walking to the back yard with the cage so the kids could get them out and hold them. Kaelyn wasn't sure what to name her bunny and I said she didn't have to pick a name so fast and she could think about it.  Just then she decided if Bryn's was named Waffle maybe she'd call her bunny Pancake.  We really don't know how to take care of bunnies, so we are learning quickly. Kyle is going to build them a hutch when we get back from Florida. We are nuts...I know. So meet Waffle, Pancake and Fable.

Waffle, Fable, Pancake...

 

 

 

 

What does God say...

As we continue with our adoption, the following verses have helped and will continue to help. I came across these verses sometime ago and have saved them. I think I thought we'd be much further in the process by now. We are still working on raising the funds to start our home-study. Hopefully soon.  We know that all good things happen in God's time to those who trust in Him.

"Pray without ceasing…" 1Thessalonians 5:17.

On Adoption and Corporal Acts of Mercy

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Mathew 18:5

"…learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of fatherless, plead the case for the widow." Isaiah 1:17

"A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…" Psalm 68:5-6a

"Vindicate the weak and the fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute." Psalm 82:3

"I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me…Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me---you did it to me.'" Mathew 25: 35-36, 40 (MSG)

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

On Taking Action

"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…" James 1:22

"A man makes a plan in his heart, but God directs his path." Proverbs 16:9

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." Proverbs 3:27

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." 1 John 4:18

On God's Plan for Your Family

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work in us, to Him be the glory." Ephesians 3:20

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west." Isaiah 43:5

"Orphans get parents, the homeless get homes. The reign of terror is over; the rule of the gang lords is ended." Psalm 10:18 (MSG)