Triathlons and missionaries

This is a picture of Brian, Brad's brother, (left) and Brad (right) at their last triathlon. They did this as a team. Brian ran, Brad biked and the guy in the middle swam. They took second place. Brian and Brad have become very competitive lately. On July 25, they are competing in a local triathlon. They are in the same heat so it should be exciting. May the best man win! Good luck guys!
We were blessed to have this family stay with us this weekend. They are the Rains family and have been missionaries to Kenya since 1997. They adopted their daughter, Winnie, from Kenya. You can view their blog at sites.google.com/site/mtrainsandfamily to learn more about their mission work and prayer requests. It was so wonderful to visit with people who have lived and served in Africa. They also gave us information about others in our area who have adopted from Ethiopia. Their home church has many adopted children. I'm so excited about the new friends we've made through our adoption.

Adoption Anxiety

Ten days until our court date and I'm beginning to feel a little anxious. I know in my mind that God's way is perfect, but my heart is being stripped and exposed. How is it that I have a son half way around the world and my ability to bring him home is based on a decision to be made in ten days. I feel like I've been waiting for this moment forever and it has only been a few weeks today. Time is standing still. I ache for an update, a little information to give me insight into his personality. I yearn to kiss and hug on him. OK, I'm sappy and whiny. I feel so sad for those families who are affected by MOWA's closing because I know you are all feeling as I do and are now waiting again. This process does get harder as it progresses and I know my faith is growing stronger as I put my trust in God and his plan. How I am feeling reminds we of the verse that talks about how the trying of our faith worketh patience. I am trying to be quiet, to be patient, to take in these glorious moments as I wait to officially become a mom for the fourth time. I am also rejoicing in the blessings God has given our family. I want to thank all my local friends and family who have already contacted us about donating humanitarian items for us to take to Ethiopia. I have had many people ask what they can give. Brad and I are overjoyed with the outpouring of love and support. We so appreciate you all.

I am leaving you with some pictures of the last few weeks.

Our children with their Critchfield cousins.
Brad's foot and ankle after a small bee bite. I am scared of what might happen next time!

Here is the big catch of the day! LOL!

Emma's fish may have been a hair longer!

Niah is always up for a hike in the woods. She loves to discover new things. Robin-don't laugh at the socks and sandals it was so cold the week we camped!

Court Date

Praising the Lord today as we received our court date-July24. My seven year told me that she has been asking for prayer for a court date every Wednesday night in children's prayer meeting. I can't think of a better way to show her how God does answer prayer. Thanks to all who have been praying. Our next prayer request is to pass court, not only for our family, but for all who have upcoming court dates as we near the rainy season.

Care Package

I wanted to show all my blogging friends this blanket I'm sending to "A". A friend of mine made it. She has a website business called sew adorable. The blanket has "A's" name in the corner folded down. The brown material has textured little bumps for him to feel and the edging is silk. If you want you can have a verse, saying, message put around the edging. I have ordered larger blankets for friends who have had babies with all their birth information and a verse. I just love them. I think this little one will be a perfect lovey for him to have while we are waiting.

Details and Extras

I was folding laundry when the phone rang at 1:31. When I saw the 817 area code my heart skipped a few beats. It was so funny how I tried to answer the phone with a normal voice. I even said, "Hi Jessica, how are you?" When Jessica said she had a referral ready I literally started shaking and told her I would have to get a hold of Brad. I'm glad she had me write her return number down because in my state of mind I'm not sure how long it would have taken me to find her direct number. I called Brad and he says, "I wasn't ready for this and I have patients back to back all day. I can't come home!" Luckily, he had a break in his schedule at 2:20 and we decided it would be best if I went there. I quickly called her back and she said that would be fine. I kept thinking in X minutes I will see my child. I had promised Brad I would not ask any questions. I was absolutely dying to know how old he was! So we jumped in the car and rushed to Brad's clinic in Elroy. This is about 15 minutes away from us. I was shaking the whole way and my youngest son was so oblivious pointing out cows along the way. Below is a picture of my kids waiting for Daddy to finish with a patient. I was pacing back and forth. His nurse must think I'm nuts! We called Jessica back at 2:31. The first question I asked was how old is he? I was so shocked when she said 18 months. I was so sure we would get a referral for a 3ish age child. All I kept thinking is that he is a baby! I mean 18 months is still diapers and a crib! I was stunned into complete silence. Then the pictures popped up and I think my throat swelled shut and my eyes welled up. I'm not sure if other people scream or cry or what, but I was silent except I remember saying, "Look at that button nose". He was so small compared to what I was expecting. All I could think was that I just wanted to scoop him up and snuggle him! Then I remembered back to when we were waiting for our homestudy and it seemed to take so long. I was trying so hard to remember that it is all in God's timing. Now I can see the whole picture. "A" was 18 months and two days old on our referral day. We were only requesting down to 18 months. Had our process happened any different, we wouldn't have received his referral. So, for everyone still waiting, I know the timing will work out perfect for you with the child God has planned. Hang in there the moment is absolutely worth it! I am still not down from my mountain top of excitement. He is so precious and I can't even explain to you how much I have fallen in love already.

Below are a few more pictures of what we have been up to in the past few weeks.

We finished helping out with a neighborhood house painting project.

We had our home school end of the year program and graduation.

We celebrated Dad's birthday with a bow hunting cake!

REFERRAL!!!!!!!

Referral for a beautiful 18 month old boy. We were very surprised as it is only week 7! Our caseworker told us that no matter when we got the call, we wouldn't have been prepared. Chatty me was literally speechless. I feel so honored to be his Mom. Praise God for answered prayers!

Random Thoughts

We enjoyed spending time with our cousins from Ohio and their two little girls. I must say these two little girls are so precious. We always wish we lived closer after spending time with them. There are just some people who you really connect well with. I feel this way about this family. We so appreciate their efforts to visit each year and feel so blessed to have them in our family.

My pictures are a little out of order. The middle two are from our church service Sunday evening. Emma, Niah and a friend named Annie sang "Trust and Obey" as a special. They did wonderfully and I could hear them all the way in the back without a microphone. It was an emotional service as we said goodbye to our youth/assistant pastor and his family. They have been called to serve in Tennessee. We will miss them and their little boys. They have had a huge impact on our family as we have grown in Christ during the last three years. We are excited to see how the Lord will use them as they continue to serve Him.

I checked the FBI list today and am excited about new referrals and court dates for all the Gladney families. I noticed that the Fournet family has a court date tomorrow and urge everyone to pray. This family has been waiting so long. I admire their faith through these difficult times. During our service Sunday our Pastor referenced Isaiah 41:10. I thought this verse was encouraging as we wait during all stages of this process. It says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." I also really appreciated 2 Tim. 3, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." As Christians we are reminded that through our suffering comes far greater rewards. I'm sure this is similar to what my husband and his brother are going through with training for their triathlon this Sunday. It takes a lot of painful training to win! Maybe adoption is like a triathlon with three stages, paper chase, waiting, passing court. Well Fournet's you are nearing the finish line and God is at your side! May tomorrow be the day! To Brad and Brian-Good Luck!