What I loved....

about this Sunday!  First it was raining...I know, I know why did I like that?  Well, because it felt great to have a refresher to our dry ground and it reminded me that fall is just around the corner...big HOORAAYYYY there.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fall.  Next the message at church was AMAZING...thank you Heavenly Father for sending your message through Pastor Kim.  AND...it just so happened to be "Surf's Up Weekend" at our church.  It is tradition to have a LARGE baptism service on one of the last weekends in August at our church.  Usually, we have it outside, but...due to the rain we had it inside.  WOW!!!  I was so blessed....at least 15 maybe even 20 people were baptized.  Most of them students....one, my good friend Candace....what a lesson in obedience she shared...I'm proud of you Can!  About four male students who had started a bible study got baptized, two middle school girls who are good friends, together were baptized.  A Mom of two boys who overcame her shyness, just being obedient to God's leading.  A local high school sports hero gave his testimony of how Fellowship of Christian Athletes had lead him to be baptized and finally, a young man who was shipping out to Iraq today.  WOW!  His Dad had the opportunity to help with the baptism and it was the most emotional, touching time of all...in fact, I'm tearing up now typing this.  We gave this soldier who is fighting for our freedom a well deserved standing ovation!  The heavens were definitely rejoicing......After church we went to my Mom's for a roast beef dinner....MMMMM!!!  And bonus, we got to spend time with Cheri our good friend.  We closed up the day with Catalyst at our church.  This is a time of worship and communion.  Aaron plays in the worship band that leads and I was sure blessed last night.  I love to worship, but...I am so blessed by others worshipping.  I watched a Dad wrap his arms around his son and bless him with prayer!  I turned around and saw not one, but two beautiful HIS Kids from Ghana worshipping our Lord and Jesus with such passion. These kids are probably not even ten years old yet.  They put some adults to shame!  Right down the row from me was yet another beautiful little girl from Ghana pouring her heart out in song!  This is what I loved about Sunday!  

More Adoption Update --

So...because Aaron and I were feeling a little "left out of the loop".  We had sent all of our paperwork into the agency, but...hadn't heard much except for the fact that they had received all our information..I sent an e-mail to Margaret.  I asked what our next step was and how long will we need to be in Texas???  This is how she responded.  Please pray for favor with the Texas Government...we are jumping through the last hoops....  

The first thing, we are still in the process of obtaining your final
clearances through Texas. Because of the Adam Walsh Federal Act that went into effect this year, those who adopt across state lines, in addition to
the FBI prints you had done, must be cleared through the State of Texas. Red tape is always fun, and we are waiting to hear from Texas on your
clearances. Cindy, Administrative Assistant, has been putting in calls for your clearances and several other families. We have yet to hear, but we are pushing things as best we can. The State, during all of this, changed horses
in mid-stream and thus, we got caught doing things one way and they decided
to do them another. That is what we are working on. 

As for the time you will be in Texas, that is anyone's guess. It depends on how fast Texas an Washington process the interstate compact packets and so
forth. I usually tell families it could be anywhere from two weeks to ? Usually it isn't longer than 3 weeks, but I never make a promise when dealing with large governing bodies. We do our best to get you out of here as fast we can so you can get home-not because we are tired of you:)

Adoption Update --

Well..I received an e-mail from Margaret at the agency today.  The copies of our photo album and birthmother letters arrived.  Margaret has been on vacation.  So...now we wait and pray and pray some more.  I can't believe we have come to this point.......I told Aaron tonight this is such a lesson in faith and trusting God.....will the baby be a boy or girl?  When will it be born?  What will we bring?  When will we leave?  WOW!!  And the list of unknowns goes on and on and on....being a planner I have had to surrender all of this to our Heavenly Father.  I'm trusting HE knows what is best for us!!  We welcome all of your prayers and thoughts.

xoxoxooxoxxo

Sweet Baby Bliss....

Does this even need words?  So sweet are these two gifts from our Amazing Heavenly Father....Honor is in the red chair, Justice all cuddly in the baby blue.

What in the world??

Ok...so this is really strange for the last 1 1/2 hours I have heard this random guitar strumming.  Not my husband mind you.  I thought it was coming from the apartments behind us.  I'm still hearing this guitar music so I venture outside and it's coming from our upstairs neighbors.  They are noisy enough as it is...and now this?  OH MY!  I wish Aaron was home to hear this!  Honey...you are welcome to jam as loud as you want!  And....you're better than whoever is upstairs...and I don't think it's Guitar Hero!