Amber and I are blessed to know a certain family in our hometown ... Sherry & Caleb ... they are incredible. Caleb is a special needs boy that also has terminal cancer ... it has returned in the worst way. The hospital pretty much sent him home to die at the end of last year ... saying he had a few weeks. Well, almost 5 months later, GOD still has him on this Earth for a reason.
Please read and watch the story on the news last night...
http://www.wsmv.com/news/19455417/detail.html
I'm not going to go political but just for a minute ... our government doesn't care. They would rather go spend $2.6 million dollars researching ways to lower the HIV infections in Chinese prostitutes. I'm not lying ... here's the story. Or $400,000 to cruise six bars in Buenos Aires to find out why gay men engage in risky sexual behavior while drunk -- and just what can be done about it. Here's that story. I got a quick answer for that ... QUIT LIVING IN SIN! That is just 2 of hundreds of "grants" out there ... and you're going to tell me that the government cares about our kids. Cmon. I don't believe in social medicine but I do believe in helping those that can't help themselves ... and if the government is going to take OUR money and say it's going to be used to help the children and elderly, then USE IT for that. Unbelievable. Quit stealing from it for your pet projects ... Democrat and Republican alike.
I have toned it down severly since being irate this morning about all this. God has taught me a lesson in all this ... to not forget to put my trust in HIM and not in man ... as I was this morning.
I emailed Sherry to tell her we were praying for her and we were here to fight for her and to let us know how we can help. Here's the email I got from her...
This is a nice surprise, thank you for emailing me and caring for Caleb. The Lord has had Angels calling me this morning. Reeves Sain got a hold of me and the owners are going to donate the low pressure bed this afternoon. I know that we are blessed to have so many love us. If you are still wanting to help or know of anyone who would like to still help, we are barely making it financially. I can't work which leaves me depending on gifts of love for my bills. I am always and forever grateful and blessed that so many have helped us in these trying times. You and Amber gave the gift of the ramp that has been such a needed blessing for this period in Caleb's life, without that ramp I would not be able to get him in and out of the house. Tell Mrs. Amber we say hello and we love ya'll.
So GOD provided the bed through Reeves Sain! PRAISE GOD ... that is amazing news!
So, to my supportive family and friends, I'm asking for a love gift on behalf of this amazing family. This mom cares so much for her son that before she had the wheelchair ramp, she would CARRY him in and out of her house to get him to therapy, etc. I'm not sure if you've lifted anyone with minimal muscle tone, but it is like carrying a hundred pound sack of potatos. The least we can do to show her we care is to donate a few dollars to help her with her bills.
So, email me at luchttd@yahoo.com if you'd like to help. You can also send a Paypal payment to that same email address. If we can get hundreds of people to donate, what an impact and statement for the Kingdom it will be. I will report back how the fundraising goes.
May GOD BLESS YOU for the compassion in your hearts. THANK YOU!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
7 months
It is unbelievable that our boy turned 7 months old today. On February 11th, we saw his picture for the first time ... a day before he turned 4 months. Three months ago yesterday our lives changed and will never be the same.
It is unreal the love you can have for someone that you've never met. It is unreal the bond you can create over 3 months. It is unreal we've almost "known" him more of his life than we haven't. It is unreal how much a baby boy can change in 3 months. It is unreal how a boy thousands of miles away can change a marriage. It is unreal how a boy thousands of miles away can change your relationship with Jesus. It is unreal how much you want to go bring him home forever. Wow. Only God could plant that love and passion in our hearts.
One week from tonight is our court date. We are so grateful for the prayers of His people on our and our son's behalf. We will never be able to repay you except to join and agree with you on prayer points in your life. So please let us know anything we can pray with you on. We really mean that.
Silas, one week from tonight we will have families who are traveling to get their children on their knees near you praying for our court date. Be nice to them :) I can't wait to tell the world you are "officially" our son! WE LOVE YOU!
It is unreal the love you can have for someone that you've never met. It is unreal the bond you can create over 3 months. It is unreal we've almost "known" him more of his life than we haven't. It is unreal how much a baby boy can change in 3 months. It is unreal how a boy thousands of miles away can change a marriage. It is unreal how a boy thousands of miles away can change your relationship with Jesus. It is unreal how much you want to go bring him home forever. Wow. Only God could plant that love and passion in our hearts.
One week from tonight is our court date. We are so grateful for the prayers of His people on our and our son's behalf. We will never be able to repay you except to join and agree with you on prayer points in your life. So please let us know anything we can pray with you on. We really mean that.
Silas, one week from tonight we will have families who are traveling to get their children on their knees near you praying for our court date. Be nice to them :) I can't wait to tell the world you are "officially" our son! WE LOVE YOU!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Single Digits
Nine nights from tonight will be our court case that will determine if we will be traveling soon thereafter to bring our boy home forever. I remember when we went into single digits on the waiting list ... it feels like so long ago. It's amazing to be at this point.
There are currently some delays with Ethiopian adoptions for abandonment cases. We need to be praying for the families caught up in this delay. We are fortunate that Silas is not an abandonment case so his court date is still May 20th in Ethiopia. We do not have to be there for that as we signed a power of attorney form so our director can sign all documentation needed for the Ethiopian courts. So, overnight/early morning of the 19th/20th, it will be decided if we are legal parents of Silas A. Lucht. The anticipation and excitement is growing every minute. Of course, our daily prayer is that we pass this first time and not have to reschedule another court appointment. We would appreciate any prayers for our boy and his court date.
We spent this weekend working on the house and doing some major shopping for our boy. I was able to get the baseboards done in the living room. Last night, we made trips to Babies R Us, Super Target, and Walmart .... that will cause the strongest man to fall. We did get his mattress so we were able to put his bed put together. I think we're just waiting a couple more items from here and here and his room should be complete and we will be able to do the reveal.
Amber had her final shower on Saturday ... thank you Betsey and Beth for throwing it for her ... we are forever grateful!
It was fun to celebrate Mother's Day "unofficially" today ... Silas got Mommy a iTunes giftcard so she can have music to listen to when we travel to go get him.
We are still working on trying to get the house put together from the carpet getting installed last week. My office is in shambles ... I have so much paperwork to organize, put away or throw away. I think that will be my task this week.
We will also be taking 100+ pounds of donations to our orphanage when we travel. One item they are asking for is rechargeable lanterns. Power goes out in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia quite often and it is hard to care for the 60-70 kiddos in the dark. So, one of their humble requests are these lanterns. We are tight on space but would like to take 2 of these with us if possible. If you would like to help donate to purchase 2 of these, let me know! If the items are still on backorder, we will be taking diapers or formula instead ... huge continuous needs. THANK YOU!
There are currently some delays with Ethiopian adoptions for abandonment cases. We need to be praying for the families caught up in this delay. We are fortunate that Silas is not an abandonment case so his court date is still May 20th in Ethiopia. We do not have to be there for that as we signed a power of attorney form so our director can sign all documentation needed for the Ethiopian courts. So, overnight/early morning of the 19th/20th, it will be decided if we are legal parents of Silas A. Lucht. The anticipation and excitement is growing every minute. Of course, our daily prayer is that we pass this first time and not have to reschedule another court appointment. We would appreciate any prayers for our boy and his court date.
We spent this weekend working on the house and doing some major shopping for our boy. I was able to get the baseboards done in the living room. Last night, we made trips to Babies R Us, Super Target, and Walmart .... that will cause the strongest man to fall. We did get his mattress so we were able to put his bed put together. I think we're just waiting a couple more items from here and here and his room should be complete and we will be able to do the reveal.
Amber had her final shower on Saturday ... thank you Betsey and Beth for throwing it for her ... we are forever grateful!
It was fun to celebrate Mother's Day "unofficially" today ... Silas got Mommy a iTunes giftcard so she can have music to listen to when we travel to go get him.
We are still working on trying to get the house put together from the carpet getting installed last week. My office is in shambles ... I have so much paperwork to organize, put away or throw away. I think that will be my task this week.
We will also be taking 100+ pounds of donations to our orphanage when we travel. One item they are asking for is rechargeable lanterns. Power goes out in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia quite often and it is hard to care for the 60-70 kiddos in the dark. So, one of their humble requests are these lanterns. We are tight on space but would like to take 2 of these with us if possible. If you would like to help donate to purchase 2 of these, let me know! If the items are still on backorder, we will be taking diapers or formula instead ... huge continuous needs. THANK YOU!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
National Day of Prayer
Prayer ... America's Hope. That's this year's focus for the National Day of Prayer. I couldn't agree more. We don't need to put our hope in man or in or government or in anything else that will fail us. We need to put it in the only pure and faultless man out there ... Jesus Christ.
Gather around the kitchen table tonight and pray ... pray for your family ... for our nation ... for our President ... that each person at each level of government would fear the LORD or that the LORD would put someone in that slot that does.
The son of a member of our Bible Study leaves today for training and then Iraq. Please pray for Danny's safety and Godly influence and provision in every task he has. Please continue to pray for our military and the sacrifice they are making to allow us the freedom we have. Thank you.
As I need to get back to work, let me leave you with this proclamation. It's amazing to research the writings/documents of some of our presidents. In the midst of the chaos our country was in, President Lincoln understood. We need to understand as well. There is so much to comment on in this writing but I will leave it for you to read...
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme
Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of
nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set
apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.
And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence
upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in
humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to
mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy
Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose
God is The Lord.
And, Insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are
subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly
fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be
but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful
end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients
of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years,
in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no
other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten
the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and
strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our
hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and
virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-
sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to
pray to the God that made us!
It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess
our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. Now, therefore, in
compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do,
by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th day of April,
1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby
request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits,
and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes,
in keeping the day holy to The Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the
religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.
All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope
authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard
on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national
sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former
happy condition of unity and peace.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of
March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and
of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
A Daily Prayer for Our Nation by George Washington
Almighty God,
We make our earnest prayer
that Thou wilt keep the United States
in Thy holy protection: that Thou wilt
incline the hearts of the citizens to
cultivate a spirit of subordination
and obedience to government, and
entertain a brotherly affection
and love for one another
and for their fellow citizens
of the United States at large.
And finally that Thou wilt
most graciously be pleased
to dispose us all to do justice, to love
mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility, and
pacific temper of mind which were the
characteristics of the Divine Author
of our blessed religion, and without
a humble imitation of whose example
in these things we can never
hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplication,
we beseech Thee, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We make our earnest prayer
that Thou wilt keep the United States
in Thy holy protection: that Thou wilt
incline the hearts of the citizens to
cultivate a spirit of subordination
and obedience to government, and
entertain a brotherly affection
and love for one another
and for their fellow citizens
of the United States at large.
And finally that Thou wilt
most graciously be pleased
to dispose us all to do justice, to love
mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility, and
pacific temper of mind which were the
characteristics of the Divine Author
of our blessed religion, and without
a humble imitation of whose example
in these things we can never
hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplication,
we beseech Thee, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Poem for our Nation
America the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain
From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray
We've kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not
angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain
From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray
We've kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not
angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
3 WEEKS, BLESSED, BUSY and UPDATES!
So I wrote a post last Wednesday and waited to publish it until I uploaded pictures ... as you can see, that post never made it live. I never got the pics onto the computer... Well, in that post, I said court was 4 weeks. Now I can see that 3 weeks from tonight/tomorrow morning will be court for our boy ... that is amazing in all senses of the word.
I gave congrats to Matt & Monica and others who PASSED COURT and will be traveling soon. I also said that to tie into Matt/Monica and my confession post from a couple weeks ago ... I can totally see GOD knows what He's doing. If we passed court today, we'd be freaking out. Our house is a wreck; the nursery is completely empty ... we're scheduled to get carpet installed Thursday and there is A TON to do around here before carpet is installed.
That is why I haven't posted forever ... I have been busy around here trying to get ready for carpet install starting on Thursday. I'm close but still have some things to do (tear apart the home theatre system, move furniture, etc). It's close though ... thank the LORD because I'm not sure how much more my back could take. I also thought that for first-time parents (at least for us), God gave us a little more time to prepare and go overboard on things :). Many of the parents who have kiddos home already seem to get quick dates .... Thank you LORD for Your grace and mercy in my life.
So a week ago Monday night, Amber's work through her a surprise baby shower at Maple Street Grill. We are BIG fans of that place ... if you live around here, try it ... it's locally owned and GREAT food. I was in on it to get her there and she had NO idea. We've been fasting/praying on Wednesdays since our court date is on a Wednesday in Ethiopia and then been going out to eat on the 20th of each month in celebration for what GOD is going to do. So it played out perfectly on Monday the 20th. Her coworkers (and former coworkers) were so GENEROUS! They blessed us so much ... I have met most of them previously so it was good to see them again. Thank you guys SO much ... we are truly grateful for everything ... from all the presents to the dinner (I had blackened tuna steak and Amber had bacon-wrapped shrimp ... yum) to the dessert ... it was too much but THANK YOU!.
We've also heard from 2 families that got back from getting their kiddos this past weekend ... they both were able to hang out with our boy!
...i held and prayed over and love a bunch of the babies and one was your guy-i picked him up and sat with him on my lap and kissed and hugged him and told him all about his new room, window seat and everything and his big letter "s" on the cool chair rail, etc-then i prayed over him and told him you were trying to get to him as soon as you could!! he is a pleasant little guy who let me pick him right up.
I instant messaged with another family today ... some of her comments...
* he was rolling over
* i got a couple smiles outta him
* yes - he is SO serious but i tickled his belly a little and tickled his cheeks and he squeaked a couple out
* his special mothers LOVE him ... definitely one of their favorites
* be prepared because he's rolling over. i'm sure he'll be crawling in no time. he's a squirmy little one
* oh and another thing i wanted to tell you that the photo album u sent is hanging in his crib!
How amazing is that!?!?! Thank you families for those amazing updates, for loving on our boy and for praying for him! We are forever grateful! Please know that we are praying for you and your newest family member!
ok, some pics...
Amber opening her presents at the shower her coworkers had for her...
Amber opening our car seat her coworkers got us!
Amber opening up the jogging stroller I surprised her with :)
Everyone enjoying presents being opened ... thank you everybody!
Amber chatting with a couple coworkers. Since she moved into pediatrics, she doesn't get to see many of her 'old' coworkers much anymore
All the presents :)
I gave congrats to Matt & Monica and others who PASSED COURT and will be traveling soon. I also said that to tie into Matt/Monica and my confession post from a couple weeks ago ... I can totally see GOD knows what He's doing. If we passed court today, we'd be freaking out. Our house is a wreck; the nursery is completely empty ... we're scheduled to get carpet installed Thursday and there is A TON to do around here before carpet is installed.
That is why I haven't posted forever ... I have been busy around here trying to get ready for carpet install starting on Thursday. I'm close but still have some things to do (tear apart the home theatre system, move furniture, etc). It's close though ... thank the LORD because I'm not sure how much more my back could take. I also thought that for first-time parents (at least for us), God gave us a little more time to prepare and go overboard on things :). Many of the parents who have kiddos home already seem to get quick dates .... Thank you LORD for Your grace and mercy in my life.
So a week ago Monday night, Amber's work through her a surprise baby shower at Maple Street Grill. We are BIG fans of that place ... if you live around here, try it ... it's locally owned and GREAT food. I was in on it to get her there and she had NO idea. We've been fasting/praying on Wednesdays since our court date is on a Wednesday in Ethiopia and then been going out to eat on the 20th of each month in celebration for what GOD is going to do. So it played out perfectly on Monday the 20th. Her coworkers (and former coworkers) were so GENEROUS! They blessed us so much ... I have met most of them previously so it was good to see them again. Thank you guys SO much ... we are truly grateful for everything ... from all the presents to the dinner (I had blackened tuna steak and Amber had bacon-wrapped shrimp ... yum) to the dessert ... it was too much but THANK YOU!.
We've also heard from 2 families that got back from getting their kiddos this past weekend ... they both were able to hang out with our boy!
...i held and prayed over and love a bunch of the babies and one was your guy-i picked him up and sat with him on my lap and kissed and hugged him and told him all about his new room, window seat and everything and his big letter "s" on the cool chair rail, etc-then i prayed over him and told him you were trying to get to him as soon as you could!! he is a pleasant little guy who let me pick him right up.
I instant messaged with another family today ... some of her comments...
* he was rolling over
* i got a couple smiles outta him
* yes - he is SO serious but i tickled his belly a little and tickled his cheeks and he squeaked a couple out
* his special mothers LOVE him ... definitely one of their favorites
* be prepared because he's rolling over. i'm sure he'll be crawling in no time. he's a squirmy little one
* oh and another thing i wanted to tell you that the photo album u sent is hanging in his crib!
How amazing is that!?!?! Thank you families for those amazing updates, for loving on our boy and for praying for him! We are forever grateful! Please know that we are praying for you and your newest family member!
ok, some pics...
Amber opening her presents at the shower her coworkers had for her...
Amber opening our car seat her coworkers got us!
Amber opening up the jogging stroller I surprised her with :)
Everyone enjoying presents being opened ... thank you everybody!
Amber chatting with a couple coworkers. Since she moved into pediatrics, she doesn't get to see many of her 'old' coworkers much anymore
All the presents :)
ok, here's what has been keeping me busy the past couple weeks...
I tiled the entryway into the basement from the garage
I tiled the entryway into the basement from the garage
I tiled under the stove ... didn't realize how heavy that thing was until my neighbor and I decided to move it ... thanks Scott for for the help!
The current disaster of our living room ... I have spent countless hours patching old vent holes in the floor that are nonfunctional and screwing the flooring down throughout the house. For those who own older homes, you know about squeaks ... and if it doesn't squeak now, it will soon. So I have hundreds, probably thousands of screws in the flooring in our house now ... and still not done :( I can't wait to get that carpet in :)
The latest pics of the nursery...completely empty!
Here has been our latest project for the nursery. This was definitely a family effort. When Amber had her shower in Indiana a few weeks ago, I hung out with her dad before we met up with my dad. I traced Africa onto a piece of wood ... I had to then go get Amber from the shower and while I was gone, her dad cut it out ... it took him 1.5 hrs! Amber then painted it over the weekend and I got the letters and heart glued on ... we love it and it's ready to go on the wall once we put the nursery together. Hopefully we'll be able to get the nursery put together quickly and be able to show you all soon!
The latest pics of the nursery...completely empty!
Here has been our latest project for the nursery. This was definitely a family effort. When Amber had her shower in Indiana a few weeks ago, I hung out with her dad before we met up with my dad. I traced Africa onto a piece of wood ... I had to then go get Amber from the shower and while I was gone, her dad cut it out ... it took him 1.5 hrs! Amber then painted it over the weekend and I got the letters and heart glued on ... we love it and it's ready to go on the wall once we put the nursery together. Hopefully we'll be able to get the nursery put together quickly and be able to show you all soon!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Getaway weekend
Amber and I were blessed to be given a cabin for the weekend in Gatlinburg. I took a 1/2 day from work on Friday, got a rental car, we loaded up and headed east about 3 hours. I always like putting miles on someone else's car if I can ... especially 700+ miles for ~$80. Love Enterprise. Anyways .... unfortunately, there was a car show going on in Pigeon Forge (where Dollywood is) and we were driving through it ... more on that traffic debacle later.
We made it to our cabin ... it was huge for just 2 people ... and, of course, forgot to take pics of the cabin. Friday night we went to Bennett's Bar-B-Que for dinner to fill up on our red meat. We then walked the Gatlinburg strip and had to stop in to Ben & Jerry's for dessert and then to our favorite store on the strip. We purchased the perfect item for the nursery that I'll reveal once the nursery is complete ... hopefully in early May. We then went back to the cabin and relaxed for the rest of the night.
Saturday morning we got up and went to go grab the breakfast of champions at Flap-Jacks. Breakfast included peanut butter and banana stacked pancakes ... perfect combination. While walking to the restaurant, a guy yelled across a stream from his hotel room.
Guy: "Excuse me, are you from Murfreesboro?"
Me: "Umm ... yeah."
Guy: "Do you go to World Outreach Church?"
Me: "Umm ... yeah, we do."
Guy: "I have that same shirt..."
I had totally forgotten I had a long-sleeve t-shirt on from a men's event we had at church... how awesome that guy picked us out? It revealed to me that no matter what, God is always with us, no matter where we are ... I wish I remembered that later...
We then went to hike Rainbow Falls. The weather was PERFECT ... mid 70s and mostly sunny. The hike was a 5.5 mile round-trip hike. It was a decent hike and Amber and I were feeling it this morning. After hiking, we needed a salt-fix so we stopped on the Gatlinburg strip and got some nachos and a pretzel. Back to the cabin to shower and get ready for the evening.
We had plans to meet Jeff and Christine who adopted their 5 year old boy from AGCI and got home just a month ago. They were nice enough to open their house up to us. Schedules didn't allow other adopted families to make it over to their house. We were excited to see them and headed out in plenty of time ... well, remember that 'car' show? It turned into the 'big truck cruise show'. The bigger the truck, the higher it was jacked up, the more people riding in the bed, the more black smoke it showed, the better. It took us 3 hours to get to their house ... over 1.5 hours to get through Pigeon Forge ... we felt terrible for being late but it was great to hang out with them. Meeting their son was AWESOME. He's transitioning GREAT ... his accent was so cute. He warmed up to me quickly and I LOVED playing with him. It gave me visions of playing with our son soon. We ate dinner, they showed us pictures of the trip and before you know it, it was 10pm and we wanted to get out of there so they could put their son to bed.
We left, headed back to the cabin, and hit the 'cruise' traffic again ... which resulted in us not getting back to the cabin until 1am ... was SOO tired, especially after hiking, big meal, etc.
We tried to sleep in this morning, packed up and headed back home ... same fun-loving traffic heading home. We did take a back way suggested by Amber's aunt that lives over there ... it definitely helped ... thanks Darlene! It poured all the way home ... we got stuck in traffic from an accident on the interstate. More traffic. Ugh. We got up there and noticed it was a 6-7 car accident. It got me thinking that it could have been us if we didn't get delayed in the earlier traffic. It's so easy for me to forget that God always has our back and His best intentions for us.
I bought a new camera for our trip to Ethiopia and for taking pictures of our boy ... I have no idea how to use it so I apologize for the pics but wanted to share...
Our beautiful view from our cabin...
My beauty in front of that view
The hiking trail sign...
Amber on a log bridge on our hike...
A nice fellow hiker from Arkansas taking our picture on the hike ... on one of the non-sturdy log bridges.
Rainbow falls...ooooohhhhh....aaaahhhhhh
Me trying to figure out focus, etc with the camera ... this is the water coming off rocks from the waterfall...
Amber in front of the falls...
Check out this guy! The little squirrels were so friendly and would probably eat out of your hands! A hiker gave him some food and I got him chowing down on it ... he was probably 5 feet from me but gotta love the new zoom lens :)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Update on our boy
Another Case Manager was in Ethiopia a couple weeks ago and took the time to check in on all the kiddos, take pictures, and give us all an update. How great is that!? So ... we got 3 new pics which are AWESOME .... our boy is getting BIG and he's got some hair now!
Here's our update...
Your boy is getting so big! He really likes to see and know what is going on around him, so he would turning his little head this way and that to peer at everyone and what they are doing. I think that is why he liked being in the Bumpo chair (that he is sitting on in the pictures) so much, because it made seeing everything easier. When I would talk to him he would look at me with his eyebrows raised and his mouth in a round “o” and just take it all in with an occasional little coo in response. He was very precious!
Yeah, that fits with all his pictures ... not much smiling ... pretty serious boy. Can't wait to get him home and loosen him up ... can't wait to hear that laugh! And Amber LOVES to see him in the bumbo seat ... as a pediatric physical therapist, she highly endorses those seats...
AND CONGRATS TO PAUL AND DEEDEE FOR THEIR BABY GIRL!! It's great to see movement on the girls list and it couldn't have happened to a better couple!
Here's our update...
Your boy is getting so big! He really likes to see and know what is going on around him, so he would turning his little head this way and that to peer at everyone and what they are doing. I think that is why he liked being in the Bumpo chair (that he is sitting on in the pictures) so much, because it made seeing everything easier. When I would talk to him he would look at me with his eyebrows raised and his mouth in a round “o” and just take it all in with an occasional little coo in response. He was very precious!
Yeah, that fits with all his pictures ... not much smiling ... pretty serious boy. Can't wait to get him home and loosen him up ... can't wait to hear that laugh! And Amber LOVES to see him in the bumbo seat ... as a pediatric physical therapist, she highly endorses those seats...
AND CONGRATS TO PAUL AND DEEDEE FOR THEIR BABY GIRL!! It's great to see movement on the girls list and it couldn't have happened to a better couple!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
No time...and 6 months!
Unreal it's been 2 weeks since my last post. But first, our boy is 6 months old TODAY! HAPPY 6 MONTH BDAY SILAS ... WE'RE COMING FOR YA SOON!
It's been busy around here ... I've been laying tile at the house, we had Amber's baby shower last weekend (still gotta post pictures), we had Easter Celebrations all weekend (HUGE blessing), and and also on Friday our town was hit by a series of tornados ...
A video showing just some of the damage ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_vboJmpx6w. I know the number of homes damaged and destroyed is very low estimates seeing what I saw...
I went over to our rental house today that was in it's path ... it faired well ... 10'x15' storage shed moved about 10 feet, fence thrown though another fence and some shingles off. We tarped the roof (thanks Kris and Jamie!) and headed out to help any way we could.
You can see the pictures on tv or online but it's nothing like seeing the destruction in person. It poses so many questions. Why did the tornado turn directions about 100 yards for my house when it was coming directly for it? How does one house get destroyed and the house next to it sustain no damage? How can all the walls of a house be gone and a closet on the 2nd floor have shirts hanging in it? I don't know.
What I do know is that God protected so many families. The stories coming out are absolutely amazing. As we know, only 2 people lost their lives ... and they were not inside a house. The shield of protection families had can come from no other than the LORD himself. The house would be gone but somehow families were not injured. It is unreal how the community has come out to take care of their own. We were asked if we wanted water or snacks numerous times by people pulling coolers down the street. I LOVE seeing people serve others. People's houses were gone, moved off foundations, total lost but their spirits weren't shaken. I really wish I wouldn't take things for granted.
Please pray for our community - that GOD would be glorified through this storm. That people would see His hand in this and give their lives to Him.
Happy Easter everyone ... let's never forget that our LORD lives forever ... the tomb is EMPTY!
It's been busy around here ... I've been laying tile at the house, we had Amber's baby shower last weekend (still gotta post pictures), we had Easter Celebrations all weekend (HUGE blessing), and and also on Friday our town was hit by a series of tornados ...
A video showing just some of the damage ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_vboJmpx6w. I know the number of homes damaged and destroyed is very low estimates seeing what I saw...
I went over to our rental house today that was in it's path ... it faired well ... 10'x15' storage shed moved about 10 feet, fence thrown though another fence and some shingles off. We tarped the roof (thanks Kris and Jamie!) and headed out to help any way we could.
You can see the pictures on tv or online but it's nothing like seeing the destruction in person. It poses so many questions. Why did the tornado turn directions about 100 yards for my house when it was coming directly for it? How does one house get destroyed and the house next to it sustain no damage? How can all the walls of a house be gone and a closet on the 2nd floor have shirts hanging in it? I don't know.
What I do know is that God protected so many families. The stories coming out are absolutely amazing. As we know, only 2 people lost their lives ... and they were not inside a house. The shield of protection families had can come from no other than the LORD himself. The house would be gone but somehow families were not injured. It is unreal how the community has come out to take care of their own. We were asked if we wanted water or snacks numerous times by people pulling coolers down the street. I LOVE seeing people serve others. People's houses were gone, moved off foundations, total lost but their spirits weren't shaken. I really wish I wouldn't take things for granted.
Please pray for our community - that GOD would be glorified through this storm. That people would see His hand in this and give their lives to Him.
Happy Easter everyone ... let's never forget that our LORD lives forever ... the tomb is EMPTY!
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