Cooking Liberian style!

As many of you know Courtney is Mommy's girl and loves to be in the kitchen. What you may not know is that all four of us girls are working on a Liberia report with huge detail this summer so we can learn more of where Elijah is from and help us welcome his culture as well as him. Well, last night Courtney prepared dinner and helped to incorporate the "food" section of our report all in one. We enjoyed a Liberian feast...Jollof rice and fruit salad (mangos, bananas, pineapple sprinkled with lime and sugar water). I think Elijah is going to be a man after Duane's heart...a passion for the spicy foods!

Impacting Our Sons

Last night I attended a Mother's of Boy's Conference held at our church. Did you read that...Mother's of Boys! :) I was ready and eager to go so I could get some pointers as to how to raise our son. The topic was "preparing him for the other woman". The more I sat, the more I absorbed, the more I absorbed the more panicked I became! I know the responsibilities of raising our girls, and I also know we need to do better in some areas as we prepare and train them. Now with a new gender coming into our house I asked God, "do you really think we can do this?" The responsibilities of parenting I take seriously and the perfectionism I struggle with causes me to panic. The impact a mother can make on her son is great...I just never knew how great that was!

The points that were discussed last night were - how we are to teach our boys how to -

1. Be a hero. How they we need to get their minds going at a young age throughout their lifetime how to look for someone to go and help. This trains them to be that hero in their wives life.
2. Be passionate. Have them be part of different ministries with us, so they can learn to be sensitive for those around them. This will teach them to have that compassion and empathy for their wives.
3. Know the heart of a women. Teach them how women are wired more tender and sensitive, this is how God created us. This teaches them when they see their wife full of emotions they will know it is normal, and not seek a way out.
4. Validate their feelings. With so much male bashing being taught through the media and around us, we need to recognize their feelings and talk them through it so they will grow sensitive to other feelings.
5. Express love. We need to be an example of this - in our marriages and with our sons. The sweet things we tell our sons, they will tell their wives.
6. Care about God's will. We need to direct their minds to God's will each day so they know when they are older to look for His guidance.
7. Settle conflicts. Hold our sons accountable for what they say, and to not make excuses. When Mom & Dad are arguing, stop and ask our son to pray for us as he is dismissed. Constantly ask him to pray for different situations, so he learns to resolve a conflict you need to start with God.
8. Fight for his friendships. We need to prepare and teach them how to handle imperfect people and to pray continuously, recognizing God first. As our sons mother, we need to also honor their friendships...greet their friends, build relationships.
9. Honor women. In order to teach we need to acknowledge..be their cheerleaders, recognize and be thankful for when they do open a door for us. Also we need to demand their respect. We need to date our sons! We need to use this opportunity to train them how to open a door for a woman, pull their chair out, order for them at a restaurant...but also to hold a conversation.
10. Be a Man of His word. Hold him accountable for what our sons say. Have them follow through with the commitment or promise they have made.
11. Accountable and pure. Set our homes as a place of peace because our sons are tempted everywhere they look. (Advertising uses half dressed women to sell their products). We need to pray purity over them, as well as start praying for their wives. Be an influence at what kind of a wife they should be looking for. And when he is tempted, teach him to pray for his wife at that time.
12. Be the provider. Have our sons participate with the family budget at age 13 so they learn how they are to provide and take care of the family. Have them think about their dreams.
13. Be the spiritual leader of the home. Have our sons start reading the Word to us. Have them pray over us or for different situations.

So much to learn, so much I want to instill in our son. So much more I need to turn to God with. I am in agreement with the speaker (Sheri Rose Shepherd) - if we impact our sons to train them to be the Godly leaders they are to be in their home...think of the impact of our families heritage as well as our society.

I encourage you to either check out her website for training helps or go to Focus on the Family's website. (Links posted in the link section.) There is a book titled "preparing him for the other woman", the conference last night was recorded and will be available to purchase. We need to start investing in our families so we can impact this nation.

http://www.hisprincess.com/

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Join Us In Prayer

Our Amazing and Gracious Father,

We thank you for this day...another day to celebrate the mercies you bring us once again, to celebrate the greatness of our King, and another day to grow closer to you.

My God, please hear our prayer. We continue to ask that you will break all strongholds on our son, Elijah once and for all. We recognize your greatness and know you are the only one able to bring him home. Father God, we long to receive news that it is time to go and bring him home. But God, we know too your timing is perfect. We know you are going to reveal just how great and awesome you are throughout these nations through all this. But please, as we continue to wait please minister and heal our hearts. Please recognize the anguish, heartache, homesickness, confusion, and perhaps even doubt and help hear every ounce of emotion we experience. Please bring healing, and give us the strength needed during this time. Hold us up with your mighty hand, and guide us through this time, also teach us how to pray during this time. Let us continue to appreciate the children that are with us now, give us the wisdom to teach them as well as the love they too need.

Father, I also recognize and lift up other families that are also waiting. All the hurt they are experiencing please heal it, comfort them too Lord. Let their cries turn to you, their anguish turn to you and may You bring them peace. Father God, we lift up HollyAnn and John, the directors of this ministry. We ask that you bring a hedge of protection around them and their family, and bring full blessings as they have remained faithful to your call. Continue to allow them to be your instruments. Thank you too Lord, that John is being the protector you have called every man to be in their family. Bring them peace too and may they continue to seek your wisdom and your will as they have so many decisions to make.

And for Elijah and for the other orphans waiting to see their new homes. May they look to see the glory you provide each day. May they wait and see how marvelous your works are. And as your timing will prevail, bring them home safely and swiftly. Prepare their hearts that they will be ready for their new parents and families. Protect them and continue to bring food to their bodies. We know you are their first parent and you are much more capable of caring for them then we are.

Continue to increase our love for Elijah, as well as the other parents for theirs. Increase the love the children have for their new families, and above all may we all continue to increase the love we have for You. May those who are watching and continue to hold us in prayer, see the love you have for us through this journey and when they see Elijah's face may he be a reminder of that love. Thank you for those who are praying for us Lord, and helping us stay strong in You.

Thank you God for hearing our prayer!

We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne. Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Our Baby Girl Is Growing Up

May 22nd we celebrated Lindsay's graduation of 8th grade. She is now an official high schooler. It is hard to believe how fast 14 years have flown by, and now we stand 9 grades later. We know that the next 4 years will fly even faster.

Here is a video of her 8th grade commission. Here you will be able to get a feel for our school. Remember, the day we celebrated many people lives were turned upside down, for it was the day we were hit by the tornado that devastated the next door town.

Lindsay's pledge - "I pledge to be loyal to my friends. I will be honest and will encourage them. I won't put them down with my words. I pledge to be obedient and submissive to my parents. They have always been willing to do things for me and I will be willing to do things for them. I pledge to God, that I will be faithful to Him even when my life seems completely turned around. I will put my life completely in His hands and trust Him."

Video of Elijah

Here is a video of Elijah at his orphanage. Please continue to pray that he'll be home soon.

Get Caught up with the Archibald Girls!

I'm sorry to do this...but it takes time to down load from the camcorder, edit and post while maintaining the "to-do's" of everyday life. So I am finally getting you caught up on the girl's activities (which seemed to happen all at once).

Go grap a cup of coffee & enjoy!

This first video is of the 5th grade choir (which Katie is part of).

They were performing for the ACSI competition, achieving an excellent rating.

Note - the first song that is sung is a tribute to a 5th grader who died this year due to leukemia.

This next video is of the 8th grade choir and band conert.

Note: the second selection of music is because of the band at our school in California and a very influentual band director. He picked the song every year, so this year Lindsay suggested this song to her band teacher and it was approved and enjoyed by each student.

The next video is the Open House festivities. Open House was held on a Sunday, and is a big deal. Katie did perform with the 5th grade choir with the songs in the first video. Katie also had an elective class in music. You will see her perform with other students on the xylophones. Then they move to a percussion piece using cups. It was quite fun. Lindsay also performed in the band - and this will probably be the only footage you will ever see of her in it (she is always in the back row, in the middle..wher we can never see her)! She played the bass clarinet this year. Courtney was part of the 4th grade wax museum - being Emily Dickenson.

This last video is of the talent shows the girls performed in at their school. It is a tradtion the school recognizes the kid's abilities. The first dance is of Lindsay, Katie and Courtney. This was a dance they performed for Mother's Day to me, and then they brought it to the stage. The second dance is Katie with her classmates, and some 1st graders - fun and silly. Finally, Lindsay performed in the junior high talent show with her piano.

We're All OK...

A new adventure for us...we got to experience something new.

Tomorrow (Friday the 23rd is the last day of school, so today was many classes on field trips. Duane took the day off to take the 5th graders on a hike in the Rockies. I went with the 4th graders taking them to the park. Today when we awoke it was dark and cloudy...not your picnic kind of day.

The 5th grade drivers went to the mountains, worse came to worse they were going to a museum and/or the YVCS camp. All was well. The 4th grade drivers arrived to the park, hearing rumbling in the sky and 5 minutes after we arrived the clouds down poured with huge drops of rain, causing us all to run to the cars. We went back to the school and went to plan B - movie in the sanctuary, and some play activities. After we were set, we had word that we were under a tornado watch - so we went back to the classrooms. When we arrived to the classrooms, the watch went to a warning - so we all went to the basement. We were under tornado watch, in the basement for 2 hours (with no electricity) - 4th graders, junior highers, some teachers and church staff and members. It was quite the party...except no one brought the food! :)

We have found out that we have had six tornadoes that have touched down, one just a few miles away from our school that was a mile long. We experienced marble size hail...but where the tornado hit they experienced baseball hail.

Duane and the 5th graders experienced hail, rain, sunny skies and even snow! They were in the safest place in the area.

This is a quick posting...but I just want to let you all know in case you have heard the news...WE ARE ALL OK!

To God Be All The Glory

I saw Prince Caspian today, and was convicted. Lucy confessed to Aslan that she saw him, and wanted to follow, but didn't because the others didn't see him. Aslan asked why didn't you follow me? She responds "because I wasn't brave enough." Oh that's so me! Because of fear and other's not seeing the same visions of God I do, I chicken out and don't follow or just plainly don't speak up.

I hear so many comments of how Duane and I are doing a great thing, how impressed people are of how we have a heart for orphans that shows. We have experienced people's admiration and praise. We try to humbly deny our doing and recognize God in it, but it hasn't been loud enough. Today I am convicted to share how Elijah came to be, and share also the answer to our immediate prayer request (the last post).

I would be lying to you if I told you that the move to Colorado was an easy one. I knew God moved us, and saw how He interacted in that process so I knew we were suppose to be here. But truthfully I was so alone in the transition and I was having many difficulties connecting with people (I need socialization and connection or I just don't thrive). I believed that God favored Duane, so I began to resent Duane and acted accordingly.

One evening early in August, I had a dream. When I awoke I knew it was God speaking to me...the details were great, and I remembered having the sense I had to remember this particular dream. So I did. I was standing in Africa, holding a little boy's hand. I experienced feelings of strife and commitment of love as I saw Duane approach through the grass as this boy and I stood watching. I leaned over to the boy and told him "I have to choose him". The heartache I experienced as I let the boy's hand go, and went to Duane, was great. I told Duane "I choose you", we embraced and Duane said "You can choose one". I went to the boy, swung him up in my arms and said "I choose this one." Yes, it could sound corny to you as you read it but I knew what God was saying in it all. Well, at least the message I thought He was saying and that was to choose Duane, everyday and always. It wasn't easy but with God's help and out of obedience I turned my resentment to a commitment of love and God has built our marriage stronger.

As many of you know, and as you read the beginning posts on this blog I went to Uganda, Africa. It was only because of much prayer and this dream that Duane and I knew I was to go - and by myself.

Many of you who know us too know we have always had a heart for adoption. Many doors have been closed as we pursued other paths in this journey. What you do not know is I had given up in adoption. God kept closing the doors each time, and I couldn't go through the disappointment again. Duane on the other hand was more convicted than ever that we were to adopt - and from Africa. We had been looking at agency's, one of them being Addy's Hope. We were 95% sure that we were to pursue through them, but that 5% stopped us from signing the papers and letting go of more money. August 29th I was on their website again and stopped to look at their "waiting angels". Low and behold I saw the little boy that was in my dream! I knew he was suppose to be with us, and knew I was looking at the face of our son. Because of our activities Duane and I were unable to talk that day and I had to wait until first thing on August 30th. He told me to call.

I called the agency, and told of our interest in the little boy named Elijah. And found that there were two other people considering him, but they would put us on the "list". I was disappointed and thought how wrong I was when I saw this little boy. Thanks to the godly man I am married to, he reminded me that if it is true God will prevail...two people in line is nothing to Him! We were told we wouldn't know anything until Tuesday of the following week. The NEXT day I received a call, asking if we still wanted Elijah, and was given permission to talk to my husband about it and then give them a call. I told them, I didn't need to. Duane and I were together on this and know God's plan is to have Elijah in our home.

This last Saturday we received a phone call from Addy's Hope stating that Elijah's birth mother was heading to the judge's office as she was going to sign the papers relinquishing her rights. A block away from the office, she pulled the cab over and went home, for she just couldn't sign the papers. Our hearts were torn. Torn because we were fearful that Elijah's birth mother had changed her mind, but also torn because the pain this mother is experiencing to have to give her child up - a pure act of love. We prayed and also asked so many of you to pray with us.

Today we received another call. Elijah's paperwork was signed by his mother, the judge was signing this afternoon (which should be done now) and the lawyer was picking up all the paperwork either tomorrow or Wednesday. What does this mean? We are parents to a 3 year old Liberian boy! We give all the praise and thanksgiving to God...who has orchestrated this and will finish what He has started.

We still need prayer. We still have a big obstacle ahead of us. This obstacle is part of the Liberian government who wants to revisit and change the adoption procedure. Please pray that all details are worked out for God's glory and that God will break down all strongholds and our son, as well as many other orphans will be able to come home.

God, I am so sorry I didn't have the boldness and courage needed to tell of the great things you have done and continue to do. Help me to be more bold for you. You get all the praise and honor that you so richly deserve. Thank you, God for hearing our prayers, take joy my King of the praises and thanksgivings from your children.

I praise your greatness, my God the King;

I will praise you forever and ever.

I will praise you every day;

I will praise you forever and ever.

The Lord is great and worthy of our praise;

no one can understand how great He is.

Parents will tell their children what you have done.

They will retell your might acts,

wonderful majesty, and glory.

And I will think about your miracles.

They will tell about the amazing things you do,

and I will tell how great you are.

They will remember your great goodness

and will sing about your fairness.

The Lord is kind and shows mercy.

He does not become angry quickly but is full of love.

The Lord is good to everyone;

he is merciful to all he has made.

Lord, everything you have made will praise you;

those who belong to you will bless you.

They will tell about the glory of your kingdom

and will speak about your power.

Then everyone will know the mighty things you do

and the glory and majesty of your kingdom.

Your kingdom will go on and on,

and you will rule forever.

The Lord will keep all his promises;

he is loyal to all he has made.

The Lord helps those who have been defeated

and takes care of those who are in trouble.

All living things look to you for food,

and you give it to them at the right time.

You open your hand,

and you satisfy all living things.

Everything the Lord does is right.

He is loyal to all he has made.

The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him,

to all who truly pray to him.

He gives those who respect him what they want.

He listens when they cry, and he saves them.

The Lord protects everyone who loves him,

but he will destroy the wicked.

I will praise the Lord.

Let everyone praise his holy name forever.

Psalm 145 (New Century Version)

Immediate Prayer Please

As you may know we have been pursuing the adoption of Elijah (a three year old boy from Liberia).
We came very close to getting the court decree yesterday but there was a complication. They will try again on Monday and we pray things go in our favor. More importantly we pray that God's will is done and that the power of His love is manifested in the situation.

While it would take some time to explain the details, we are requesting that you would pray for this situation.

Please pray for Liberian orphans and that God would continue to meet their needs through the love of His people.

Please pray for the Liberian government as they continue to redefine the adoption process in their country.

Please pray for peace of mind for us and for patience during this journey.

We do thank God for each of you and appreciate your involvement in our lives over the years. The prayer support you have demonstrated in the past has touched us greatly.

Duane and Karen

We have reached a mile stone...

It has been a custom in our household that when you have a birthday and turn a double digit you may invite the girls from your class for a sleepover. Being that Courtney turned 10 last week we had her sleepover last night.

We are thankful for basements! The girls played mainly in that area and it shows! Courtney enjoys cooking so much, so the 9 4th graders, Katie and Lindsay gathered with me around the kitchen island and made their own pizzas. It was a hit and everyone enjoyed it. I used small popsicle sticks and put their names on it and poked them into their individual pizza, when I took them out of the oven I knew who's was who. If you want to know how to get a child to eat vegetables... I made a salad bar so they could make their own salads...every child ate all their dinner. This was the first birthday I didn't make the cake...Baskin Robbins did! Yum!

I of course crashed before the girls. I heard they fell asleep sometime after 1:00 in the morning. I was disappointed having to wake up at 6:45...didn't they read the invitation right....this was to be a SLEEPover! I made homemade cinnamin rolls, bacon and melon from breakfast. As Duane and I were organizing breakfast, saw that parents were coming in about a hour...we high fived each other, and recognized we have accomplished our last big sleepover!

Crazy Fourth Graders!!!