Here we are...

It has been a while since I have turned my thoughts into words, about where we are.  The excitement in the house is growing as the summer hosting approaches.  We have begun to plan a few things that we are planning to do as a family with him.

The other day I was thinking back to last December when we were at the airport nervously waiting in anticipation for what was coming next.  It seemed like in an instant everyone else was gone and we were left standing in the airport all alone.  Fast forward to June 27th 2013, and I can only imagine how different this airport pickup will be.  We are all so excited for him to come back.  It is precious to hear our 4 year old ask when he is going to be here and just talking about him.  It is absolutely amazing how God has shown himself to to me through our kids in this process.  I am thankful that we stepped out in faith and obedience when we chose to host last winter.

We do not know what the future will hold for us,  the decision is up to him as to where we go from here.  At the age of 12 and above L@tvian orphans get to choose for themselves what they want to do.  If a family would like to adopt them they can say no and stay where they are, o r they could stay where they are.  We have been blessed to meet some children that have been adopted from that region after being hosted and have learned a few valuable things from that.  We hope to make use of these relationships as we move forward.

Last week was a very busy week for us as we worked to put together what ended up being a very successful garage sale.  Thank you to so much to those who donated items to help us.  We continue to have people use our Amazon Link.  Over the last two months, friends have used our link to shop and we have made just over $150 thanks to them.  If you do not know about our Amazon Link it is very simple to use.  If you are making a purchase off of amazing just click on our link and make your purchase as usual and Amazon will give a portion (4%-7.5%) of your purchase to us.

Thank you all who have come alongside us and assisted us in any way and I do mean ANY way

Starfish (Written by Linda)

So many people are asking us what is new, what are we doing, what's going on?   We are still moving forward with or paperwork!  We will be sending off our I 800 - A ( This is a document that allows us to get some really expensive fingerprints done LOL)  We have everything that can be done at this time for our Dossier ( another adoption term but this is the biggie)  This is the Starfish Story.  I love this little story because I do believe that God put this little man in our lives and I know "  it made a difference for that one"  I can hear it in his voice when we talk,  I know the change that we saw in him while he was in our home,  I know he knows we love him, and  I know he knows he is wanted. 

Before we hosted it was easy to not think about the orphans around the world.  Since hosting that has changed forever.  We have often talked about how many orphans are out there world wide.  There are between 143,000 and 153,000 orphans worldwide.  If you lined them up shoulder to shoulder they would circle the equator 3 times.  If you drove past this line at 60 mph for 24 hours a day you would still be passing children after 60 days.  When you start reading about all the statistics some people begin to say what is the point,  I can not help all of them.  The story below is a good picture of what hosting is.

Once upon a time, there was a wise old man,

who went to the sea to contemplate.

One day, while walking along the shore,

the wise old man looked down the beach,

and saw a gracefully dancing human figure.

The wise old man wondered out loud,

 “Who would be dancing all alone on the beach?”

He began to walk faster to catch up.

Getting closer, the wise man saw that the dancer

was a child, who was not dancing at all.

The child was reaching down to the sand to pick up

something, and was very gently throwing it into the sea.

The man called out to the child,

“Good Morning! What are you doing?”

The child paused, looked up and replied,

“Throwing Starfish into the sea.”

Surprised, the man said,

“Yes, I see that, but WHY are you throwing Starfish into the sea?”

The child smiled brightly, pointed upward and

with perfect simplicity replied,

“The sun is up, and the tide is going out.

If I don’t throw them in, they will die.”

“But, don’t you realize, “asked the man,

“that there are miles and miles of beach and Starfish all along it?

You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The child listened politely.

Then bent down, picked up another Starfish,

threw it gently into the sea, just beyond the breaking waves,

and joyfully declared,

“It made a difference for that one.”

These past few weeks have been difficult. We were shocked and very saddened that he is not wanting to pursue adoption right now.  Honestly we were completely caught off guard.  God has placed a burning fire in our hearts for adoption.  We have no idea where this road is taking us but I am peacefully resting in God. ok I have to be honest the first couple of weeks I was frantic.  I was reaching and searching for anything I could do to change this.  It felt as though I was drowning.  It makes me think of Matthew 14:29,30

 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

I took my eyes off of God and tried to find any way I could to possible change this.  I hate the way I reacted.  It goes to show me how  little my faith can be at times and how I will forever be a work in progress.  

So this summer we are going to be hosting for 5 weeks.  We are going to approach this hosting the same way as we did the first time. Share with him FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.  We are going to show him a family, unconditional love, share the gospel with him, teach him the English language, and hope for his future.  We are so THANKFUL that we will get to see him again!  We are crying out to God that he changes his mind.  

Thank you for all of your support, encouraging notes, and love that you have given us.  You have no idea  how much this means to us.  Especially during this difficult time.  Thank you!