Siblings?

Whether or not to bring children along on these adoption trips is one of those subjects that people seem to feel very strongly about. We went back and forth for a while, not in small part because of Matt's concern about being bored and the lack of communication with everyone at home, but we've definitely decided to include him in on the trip. I think he'll get so much out of it - being able to experience the Kazakh culture and gain an understanding of where his brother comes from among other things. But I really think our littlest boy will really benefits from being able to bond with his big brother before he comes home. It may be much easier for the two boys than it initially is for us and the little one. In either case Matt is super excited now (now that we've told him he can in fact skype with everyone) and I am so glad he'll be with us!

Anyone out there have any suggestions for bringing other kids along?

Shout Out to the Kaz Adoption Community

I love the Kaz adoption community - they have been such a huge blessing to us...and we're not even in the country yet! We have received so much encouragement, support, information and love from the other families who have gone through this or are doing it now that we just want to say 'thank you'. One family has spent much time answering questions, so a special shout out to Dustin and Cortney, who are in Kaz now with their adorable son. There are other families too - they know who they are. Words cannot express how grateful we are!

We hope to be as helpful to those of you out there who are coming behind us, so if there is anything we can do - please ask!

Are you ready? It's a......

First let me say that Romania was amazing - we've fallen in love with the people there and met so many that we wished we could have brought home with us! More about the trip later....

On the adoption front things are moving at the speed of light! We aren't supposed to say too much because there is the risk that our adoption and the adoptions of many others can be jeopardized if we do, but I have permission to tell a little bit. :)

Here's what we know - we are traveling to a great region that we can't name to pursue the adoption of an amazing little kid! Matt will be a brother! We were initially terrified of adding an 'older' child (so ridiculous that 4 and 5 year olds are considered "old") to our family but God has made it very clear that His plans are the best ones. We are obviously thrilled that we are moving so fast and have such a wonderful little one on the other end. We are in love with this age child and now see them everywhere - watching how they act and play and trying to see our little one in their eyes. Our God is just amazing - that He's gotten us this far and is continuing to work all things together for good for our family!

We just received our final travel contracts by email from LMI so our dossier is through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the region where it needs to be. Work on our LOI has begun - two to three weeks sooner than we thought! Processing the LOI can take a while, and judges are on summer vacation, so in the meantime LMI has sent the Kazakhstan Travel Guide for our reading pleasure, which should cover the remainder of the process. Our travel/court documents call was last night and we learned what paperwork we now have to do (crazy!)...but at least its all 'third trimester' stuff now.

Off to Romania...and what's wrong with mission trips :)

We leave tomorrow to take 8 of our teens on a mission trip to work with children in Romania, and we are all so excited! I saw this and thought it was pretty good...   Lord, break our hearts for Your children! 


The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest fields. ~ Matthew 9:37-38

7 Reasons Why You Should Never Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip

by David Armstrong

 

1. It will distort your perception of the world! Seeing it through the plastic lenses of our society is sufficient. They may be distorted, but you are used to them! Don’t needlessly mess yourself up.

2. You could get sick or robbed! It’s dangerous out there! Some places have a crime rate almost as high as our inner cities.

3. It will make you harder to live with! The way you view life and even your likes and dislikes are liable to change. Your friends and family probably won’t understand or appreciate your sudden changes.

4. Afterwards you will feel awkward at some of the jokes and comments you currently enjoy. They will not seem as funny when you have seen life from the other side.

5. You will experience sadness you haven’t felt before. After you see real suffering, you won’t pay much attention to your complaining about how hard you’ve got it. You are even liable to feel guilty and uncomfortable about the nice things in your house and the food on your table. Stay home and stay comfortable!

6. You might lead someone to the Lord. I know that is a laudable goal, but it tends to cause excitement and further interest in Christian Service.

7. You could feel a pull toward going overseas again—for the adventure, of course. The problem is that you could slowly, subtly get sucked into thinking about being a missionary!

My advice? Stay home and stay comfortable!

So Blessed

I love my family and can't wait to add another little one. My guys are amazing!! Something tells me it will be soon...and there will be one more face in the picture. Little kiddo, we're all getting ready for you.