Strong Tower

 

Strong Tower....

I love this picture of Chloe (6ys and FEARLSS!) She's at our neighbor's Harvest Party climbing the infamous rock tower. It's really not that tall...but in the picture it looks like she's hanging off Mt Everest!

It reminds me WHO our strongtower is. I don't have to cling to life, hopes and dreams with a fearful grip...that I will fall if I don't do something right.
God is my shelter and He covers me under His wings.

Here are a few verses from Cutless' Strong Tower song:

When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to Your moutain
Where your mercy sets me free

[chorus]
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul

Our friends with our kids--how cool!!

 

Silly Girls! (Marie on right)

 

More Pictures....Just Because.....

Here are a few more pictures of the kids....My daugther set it up so they constantly scroll through on our computer....but you blogger fans can't see them so I'll post them here.

I'm trying to quit thinking of all the ways that this isn't going to work out...that one (or more of these precious kids won't be coming home with us)

I know God has a plan and I'm trying to just focus on that and that He knows the big picture.

So when I get anxious here's what I do:

1. I've cleaned the top of our entertainment center (that never gets seen...let alone dusted!)

2. cleaned our stove...taking apart the silly grill that does nothing but catch pancake batter on it...even cleaned out that drip tray that catches everything I boil over!

3. cleaned the fish tank...that alone makes me feel very productive and together :)

4. ate one Hershey bar (I didn't even wait for it to thaw out) and a Dilly Bar from DQ

5. I'm baking oatmeal bread but I know it flopped

6. Cleaned our shower...even the big rust spot! (mostly because we have company!)

7. Stuck my hand into all the cracks of the sofas and chairs (nasty!) That's because we lost a library book. (not there!....but found lots of other interesting things...like what my kids eat when they're not to be eating in the living room)

8. I think I'm going to color my hair again...... :)

***I better add that this didn't happen all in one day. I'm not THAT obsessive!!

Wouldn't it be so much easier if I could just get out shopping!!!!

 

Fun, Food and Family....

Last week the girls and some friends went to the Todd Agnew/Rush of Fools concert. What an awesome time (even though it was loud and rocky...I know! I must be getting old:)

I love how God creates us all so differently...how we can worship God in such unique ways. And what an incredible message they all have! The most encouraging was the opening act Joy Whitlock who has an amazing testimony. Her first CD is coming out in April. She's was anti-Jesus her whole life...preacher's daughter...rock band...bar player...and saved just 3 yrs ago at the Passion of Christ movie. Her lyrics are deep, honest and worshipful.

How easy to think that everyone (Christians) should look the same, talk the same, worship the same. But God made our unique personalities...gave us gifts and is only concerned in conforming us into HIS image...not to look exactly like each other.

On the way home we spontaneously decided to go out to eat at Perkins at 12am. (it started with lost car keys!) The girls thought it was so much fun having choc. chip pancakes, biscuits and gravy and omelets that early (or late!) I'm too old for this too! What great memories we'll have of that night.

Now the family part: We've had Dave's Uncle visiting this week. (his annual visit from Chicago) He was going to stay until Sat. but left (I think RUNNING!) today. I think the noise...the kids...and actually our 3 yr old not wearing his shoes/coat outside finally pushed him over the edge. I think he felt bad and called from the road kind of apologizing.
He's been a bachelor for 78 yrs...so this is a big thing for him to do)
Dave's 2 sister have been here as well. It's been an interesting mix of food, ideas and conversations.
Plus if you can believe it...the furnace quit working AND the dishwasher...so we had repairmen in and out all this week too!
(I kept telling them that we really don't live like this all the time!) I'm sure they thought we were nutso with kids, relatives, and dogs running around the house!

Gbanko (Josie)

 

Garlayma (Isaac)

 

Marie (left) and friend

 

New Pictures of Our Kids

We're still waiting for the phone call saying it's "final" so we can move onto phase #2...the passport wait...then the pre-visa interview and visa wait. Seems like we'll never get to Africa to bring them home.

With hearing about several lost referrals of kids lately...I have to keep reminding myself these 3 aren't "our" kids...just like our bio kids aren't "ours". If this is the Lord's plan...HE WILL do it.

We did receive some new pictures this past weekend...I'll post a few. Seems like they have gotten so much bigger each time we get pictures!

I notice the biggest change in Gbanko (aka Josie) Her earlier pictures she had tears in her eyes now she's smiling and even acting goofy.

I keep praying God is preparing them-as well us our family-for this big change.

Olivia is 11!!!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!!!!!

Olivia, our 2nd daughter, is 11 years old today. The older you get the quicker years go by....I'm sure of that now. Someone said the days may seem long...but the years fly by. How true!

Enjoy your day sweetie. You are sunshine, smiles and sweeteness...and a real blessing in our lives. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Mom and Dad