Summer Sunday Hikes

We have been enjoying our summer. It has been quiet, uneventful, non-strenuous, and peaceful. I would have to say this has been Duane and mine favorite summers. I have found that a life of an American is to plan how much you can cram into a day...and even into a vacation, we didn't do that this year. We have enjoyed each other. We have "been still and known God is God." (Psalm 46:10). We have discovered we enjoy our surroundings and we have so much to be thankful for.

One of the routines we made for summer was our day of rest. Being that we attend church on Saturday nights, we are able to enjoy a full day of rest on Sunday. So we have been doing Sunday hiking...other than the beach there is not a better place to experience our Loving God.

Blessed be your wonderful name. It is more wonderful than all blessing and praise.

You are the only Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, with all the stars.

You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; you give life to everything.

The heavenly army worship you.

Nehemiah 9:5-6

I will praise the Lord at all times; his praise is always on my lips. My whole being praises the Lord.

Psalm 34:1-2a

Shout to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with joy;

come before him with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.

He made us, and we belong to him;

we are his people, the sheep he tends.

Psalm 100:1-3

Let the sea and everything in it shout; let the world and everyone in it sing. Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the mountains sing together for joy.

Psalm 98:7-8

God, my heart is steady.

I will sing and praise you with all my being.

Psalm 108:1

The Lord lives!

May my Rock be praised. Praise the God who saves me!

Psalm 18: 46

Everything on earth, shout with joy to God!

Sing about his glory!

Make his praise glorious!

Say to God, "Your works are amazing! Because your power is great, your enemies fall before you.

All the earth worships you and sings praises to you. They sing praises to your name".

Psalm 66:1-4

You do great and wonderful things, Lord God Almighty.

Everything the Lord does is right and true, King of the nations.

Everyone will respect you, Lord, and will honor you.

Only you are holy.

All the nations will come and worship you, because the right things you have done are now made known.

Revelation 15:3b-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3

And so we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:16

God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.

Jude 24-25

He created the skies and stretched them out. He spread out the earth and everything on it. He gives life to all people on earth, to everyone who walks on the earth.

The Lord says, "I, the Lord, called you to do right, and I will hold your hand and protect you."

Sing a new song to the Lord; sing his praise everywhere on the earth.

Praise him, you people who sail on the seas and you animals who live in them.

Praise him, you people living in faraway places. The deserts and their cities should praise him.

Isaiah 42 5-6a; 10-11a

Skies, sing for joy because the Lord did great things! Earth, shout for joy, even in your deepest parts!

Sing, you mountains, with thanks to God.

Sing, too you trees in the forest!

The Lord saved the people of Jacob! He showed his glory when he saved Israel.

This is what the Lord says, who saved you, who formed you in your mother's body:

"I the Lord, made everything, stretching out the skies by myself and spreading out the earth all alone."

Isaiah 44:23-24

Because of the Lord's great love

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Questions and Answers

There are so many questions we get. We welcome them, for we feel that we have people interested in knowing our adoption journey. We also know that there are people who just don't want to ask them. These are the questions and statements we have heard. If there are any that we haven't posted, please feel free to post them so we can address them.

"Have you heard anything yet?" Well actually, no. We hear the same things that we know. Liberia is messed up. The government is corrupt, and views their well being the priority. They show from their lack of actions that they don't truly have a heart for these children. It is so hard for Duane and I to answer this question, even though we are thankful so many of our family and friends are interested in our struggle...but what we know is what goes on in our prayer life, we don't have anything tangible or any evidence of what we are hearing from God.

"Why are you dong this?" We are being obedient to God. We have seen a vision and have said "yes" to what we belive God has called us to. God has confirmed our direction many times through this journey.

"This is so messed up! It doesn't make sense. Why don't they just..." In order for them "to just ..." they would need to remove their Liberian mindset, all the turmoil they have known - the war and tribalism, and put on a American mindset. In Proverbs, it is noted that wisdom and understanding go hand in hand, one doesn't happen without the other. In order for wisdom to rule Liberia, one must have understanding...that just isn't the case.

"So what are you going to do?" Wait and pray. We will wait on the Lord, caste our burdens on the Lord. That is all we have. We can't give up for this is the road God has clearly put us on. Has He given us this turmoil? I don't know...but I do know that He is a caring God, a loving God and has extreme compassion for the orphans. With that said, I don't believe God has willed this on us. I do believe He is victorious and will win this fight in the end.

"Why Liberia? Why not one of our "own" children in the US, there are so many?" Yes, our hearts are for orphans. And we have a heart for those needing a home in our own country, let alone state. But God directed our paths to Elijah and Ruthie. He has specifically picked out these two children to be in our home, and for us to be in their lives. We will wait for our children.

"If it doesn't work out, will you be out all that money?" Yes. As with all international adoptions it is a risk that is taken. We know up front that there is a risk, and a government can change their ways at any time. We have signed a document stating we do know this risk. Duane and I both feel that it isn't about the money. We have considered it a pure joy to be able to support our children financially, and wish we could even do more.

"Since Elijah has your name, why can't you bring at least him home?" We need two final things. We need his case history, which can be done simultaneously with Ruthies', and his Visa. Both of these things are not being done at this time until Liberia establishes new adoption laws.

"How long have you been waiting?" We have committed to Elijah two years on August 31st. We have only been committed to Ruthie for 8 months. We are not counting the years prior where we have tried adoption and failed, or even when we knew that God laid this on our hearts. Otherwise, it all started almost 17 years ago. Again, we will continue to wait, we will continue to love, and continue to call them ours.

"Isn't your agency doing anything?" They are doing everything humanly possible. They are spending many countless hours fighting this fight FOR us. They are spending many hours on their knees and trying to break down the barriers. We ask for you to pray for them, that God will continue to use them in a mighty way and for them to not get weary in this fight. The one thing I want to make clear is that Duane and I are extremely proud to be part of Addy's Hope. Addy's Hope is not only about adoption, but also the care of the Liberian people. Through Addy's Hope we are able to help educate, feed and share Christ with the people of Liberia. Christ has used Addy's Hope to not only bring light to these people, but to bring hope. It is the Liberian people that are for what Addy's Hope is doing, it is the government that is fearful and remain controlling.

"Are you guys the only ones going through this?" No. The orphanage that our kids are coming out of has approximately 60 children under their roofs, all waiting for their forever families who have been matched with each of them. All these children are waiting. We aren't the only orphanage/agency either. Other agencies have had to close their doors because they couldn't afford to take care of their children because of the lack of adoption fees coming in. And the few remaining agencies are continuing to press on and fight for the sake of these children.

"I just don't understand all this. It isn't fair. It isn't right. You should have them in your home. They need a good home." Thank you for your support. Unfortunately, the Liberian government doesn't see things like we do. A lot of it is because of lack of education about adoption. When a country doesn't have adoption in their own country, it is so hard to understand how a family can take another child in that isn't theirs and love them as if they are.

Liberia Needs Your Prayers

Please turn music off at the bottom of the page.

What Father's Day Means to Me...

Duane and I were praying over our Father's today. We expressed our gratitude for blessing us with amazing and wonderful Dads. And then memories flooded my mind...

I remember countless numbers of tickling on the family room floor.

My favorite memories are when my Dad and I would go to the dump and one time I didn't but he thought of me still and brought home a tumbleweed for me to play with. All the other times I did go we stopped off at 7-eleven to get a Slurpee.

I remember going to a police auction and my dad bidding on my baseball mitt that I still have today.

I remember helping my dad hand the Christmas lights. And during the cold, dark night sharing with him my dreams and thoughts.

I remember hiding some stray kittens from him, and after he found out, him throwing his arms in the air as he knew he couldn't say "no" to me.

I remember my dad could do everything.

I remember spending every year going camping and my dad going with me to the Ranger meetings so I could be a junior ranger. I also remember him getting "Racky Raccoon"'s footprint for me. And I remember piling his Thing with camping gear as I sat on it all, until we reached the campground.

I remember thinking my Dad was the best, and still do.

I remember my dad being my biggest fan.

I remember my dad's lasagna and tacos...and thinking there isn't a better chef then him.

I remember hiding in the kitchen closet and scaring him half to death when he got home from work.

I remember coming home and not even reaching our property and hearing rap music blasting from our home.

I remember my dad helping my friends tp my car. And then I remember tp'ing my own home for my dad's birthday.

As I think of my dad this father's day I am reminded of all the special memories my dad and I have shared I can't help but be thankful for him. My dad has touched me, has spoken into my life more than he realizes. But what my dad forgets, what my dad doesn't realize that he has given me the greatest gift. My dad gave me his name, he brought me into his home and called me his and never was I ever thought of differently. My dad had and has that much love for me. My dad is my hero for he rescued me. As my dad is in California and I in Colorado, my thoughts and prayers remain with him today, and I am reminded of how blessed I am.

Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you so very much!

Now that our computer is back (after it crashed), we are back...

The month of May in a nutshell....

ACSI choir competition...

When in 5th grade at RCS, that automatically puts you in the ACSI competition. I have now seen this event for the past two years. I thought these kids performance was outstanding! And so did the judges for they received a superior!

Art Museum Field Trip -

Courtney had a field trip to the art museum led by her art teacher. It's never a place that I get excited about going to - especially with two bus loads full of fifth graders, but every time I go I find something new which makes me thankful for going. Courtney wrote a paper on this piece of art (on the left). Unfortunately, you can't get the full effect of this picture because I zoomed in...but the picture is the full length and almost width of the entire wall. You couldn't help but notice this painting.

CHASA Band competition...

Lindsay performed with the band at the CHASA band competition. The band isn't only evaluated on performance but also for first time site reading through a music piece they never saw before (the last performance shown). This was the band director's first year, and you could taste the nervousness in the air. The band received all outstanding marks. Can I say that I wasn't one bit surprised???

Fifth Grade Choir Concert...

And as always when May approaches we are greeted with a Spring Concert, which Courtney was part of. This year the focus was on the story of Daniel. We enjoyed it all, and was astounded to see fire in the sanctuary as Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego were in the blazing furnace.

Junior High & High School Choir & Band concert ...

And being that we have a junior higher & high-schooler, we had a separate Spring Concert for them. We sat proud as always as we listened to the talents of all the kids...but of course took that much more pride when we saw our kids go up on stage, hear them play (and as usual find they are hidden behind stands or players). Lindsay not only played in her symphonic band, but enjoyed playing in the jazz band as well this year. Katie has done quite well with her flute this year, I love hearing her play as she practices at home as well with the other instruments. We are having a problem uploading this particular footage of video, so you won't have the privilege of hearing their performance.

Fifth Grade Service Project...

Each year the 5th grade lead the elementary in a service project. They start by having a penny war, normally bringing in about 4,000 dollars...this year they brought in $6,000. The 5th graders decided to split the amount by helping build a kindergarten room in Israel, helping the medical costs of a kindergartner in our school, who has cancer and then this... the video is long (I shortened it the best I could), but you have got to watch it, I couldn't help but weep and I couldn't help but be surprised to see how God can use a bunch of 5th graders. Their voices were heard very loudly that day...and they continue to be heard today. You must watch!!!!

Lindsay's Piano Recital...

And just before finals week, Lindsay fit a piano recital in. She was so focused on all her tests coming up, and weighed a heaviness in her heart from the loss of her friend that this wasn't the best performance she has done. But no matter what...we are still proud!

Talent Show...

It is a custom that the elementary school has a talent show during the last week of school - to show off the talent of their kids. To my surprise, Courtney performed....oh, how I laughed! This was so her...and then the following song was with all the 5th graders singing the song they performed at the Go Life rally.

Fifth Grade Hike Together...before 6th grade -


It is the 5th graders tradition to finish their year off with a hike. A time to celebrate finishing elementary school and a time of togetherness and encouragement. Duane and I both chose to attend this event. Now our baby is off to middle school!

Soccer Get-Together -

The soccer coach put together a little get-together to recognize the talents her players grew in this season. We had a parent against the players game! Katie was a bit surprised that her dad AND her mom could even kick the ball! We had a great time playing with our daughter and enjoying a part of her world.

Undergraduate Award ceremony -

The very same night as the soccer game, we quickly showered and changed in the school's facilities to attend the undergraduate award ceremony we were invited to. It was announced as a surprise to us all that Lindsay received an outstanding recognition in her music achievement. I am pleased to see all the lessons, time, and costs of all her lessons are starting to pay off!

And the celebration isn't complete without an evening out with her friends.

Last Day of School...

Courtney - We are called to be thankful in all circumstances, and yet there are some circumstances that God makes things so easy to be thankful for. We have had the joy to share our lives with Mrs. Miller for two years now (being that Katie had her too). And for her we are thankful and was blessed. We will miss having her in our lives as the role of 'teacher', but remain proud to call her "friend".

The fifth grade celebrate field day (which is the last day of school) with a kick ball game between the three classes...and the kids get to sit in the dunk tank for the younger kids to try and get them wet.

Katie - she finished 6th grade off so great - all A's a-matter-of-fact. I think back when she began school and I had so much hehesitancy, wondering if she could just survive through the drama, challenges, but mostly the need to stay on top of things and organized. Katie has proved to us how much she is capable of doing, especially with God on her side.

Lindsay - has a close friendship with a foreign exchange student from Korea. These girls in their quietness have become kindred spirits. Lindsay had been working on a quilt for her friend to remind her of their friendship as well as the life here in Colorado. Her friends was surprised, and then Lindsay was pleased to learn that her friend would be back for another year at RCS.

Lindsay has now finished 9th grade, and now is an official sophomore. She finished her year off strong in spite of her emotional challenge of loosing her best-friend. Her biggest lesson this year was learning what giving her best means...not loosing herself in all her academics, but doing the best she can with all that God brings into her life, and not taking any of it for granted. Lindsay chose to finish her 1/2 day of school with her friends.

We had a great school year, and have many reasons to give God thanks. We are thankful for the quietness of summer and this time of rest. The girls already look forward to be back next year, and all the next year brings.

Letter from Mommy to her son and daughter

To my dear son, Elijah and my beautiful baby girl, Ruthie...

I love you two so much. I have loved you before I knew of your names, and I have loved you before I have even met you. And now that I have met you, I am even that much more excited about each of you and love you even more.

I know God is going to be doing something incredible in each of you, and is going to raise you up to be His prince and princess. God "knew you before He formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born He set you apart and appointed you as His prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5). I am excited to get a part of watching God do His thing in each of you. I am so thankful that we will get to be a part of your lives.

Mommy has had some hard days. I have missed you so. I have wondered if God was going to finish what He started. I have been angry. And I have had thoughts of giving up, but I saw your darling faces and heard your giggles and knew that wasn't God's plan for us. I have given up on hope only to find hope again. I have believed that because I have not learned what I am suppose to learn, I have to wait for you, as if God is punishing me. But then I am reminded that isn't the God we serve. I have shed many tears for you. My heart has been broken as I wait for you. There hasn't been a day that has gone by that we haven't thought of you, loved you or prayed over you. You are apart of the family, whether you are here or not.

Today I thought of what I have learned through all this. I have learned to trust God in a whole new way, and every time I think I have mastered it, I have discovered there is a whole new layer to learn. Today as I write you I know I will continue to learn how to trust God, but know all in all He has everything all under control.

I saw Elijah in a dream, and trusted God that we were to adopt Elijah. Daddy and I were considering girl's names for you, Ruthie and found that God had already named you what we had planned. We don't understand why we have had to wait, but we continue to trust and believe God's timing in all this matters. And so we wait. I believe I have learned patience and will learn more. I have learned to love people I can't hold. I have learned more of who our God is and look forward to learning more. I have embraced God's love over and over again, and know His love is what is holding the two of you.

So today I wonder as I think of you. I wonder what God has taught you. I wonder if you have sensed how He is raising you. I wonder if you have learned to trust Him. I wonder if you have felt His kisses each night, as we pray for Him to tuck you in. I wonder if you have thought of us as much as we think of you. And as I wonder, I have so much joy and excitement, because one day through the power of our God you two, your sisters, Daddy and me will one day be together...and then I wonder again. I wonder what kind of family we are going to be? Together how are we going to serve and glorify God? And then I am that much more excited...because God is putting together something great.

So tonight I send you my love. I blow you your mommy's kisses. But I know that you are in a better place than if you were home with your family...and that is because you are in our Father's hand. Sleep tight. Together we will continue to learn, continue to trust and one day we will rejoice not because we are together, but because God has completed what He has started and it will be greater than what we can even imagine.

I love you!,
Your Mommy

Wind in our Sails...

"Wind in our sails"...an expression for what keeps us going, not an expression that is heard of too much these days. And yet I heard it three times in the last week, and my spirit leaped and said "listen". Yet what, God, what am I to hear? What am I to learn? What needs to be spoken?
When I picture those words, it takes me automatically takes me to the ocean or sea, and I can picture Jesus calming the sea and those on the ship "... were terrified and asked each other 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him?'" (Mark 4:41) I searched through God's word that talked about the wind. And what did I find? HE.

HE creates the wind to take away things we think are important, and then find that they weren't important at all. HE created the wind to show us His power. HE determines which way the wind blows in our lives. HE shows us His presense through a gently breeze or a mighty blow. HE is behind the wind. I ponder who HE is.

One of the hardest thing I had to do when we moved from California was move away from my best-friend, who's daughter was Lindsay's best-friend and also was dealing with liver cancer. I found through the past three years, distance didn't seperate us from our love for one another. We remained close. We prayed for one another. We held on to God's promises with one another. We cried with one another. We laughed with one another. We celebrated with one another. And this past week we mourned with one another as Rachel, went home to Jesus.

And as Duane said eariler this week "the wind has been robbed from our sails". But has it? I see that the orphanage project that we have been part of posted their last story titled "Wind in our Sails". What is that? I am brought back to HE...to the Great I AM. It is HE that is in our sails, it is HE that will NEVER leave us. HE caught us off guard last week, but it is HE that remains. HE doesn't always makes sense, only because it is my human mind that can't fathom all of who HE is. But I contininue to trust in HE, for HE still remains faithful.

Rachel lived a life that showed her faith. She heard who HE was. She trusted HE with her full life. HE told me "Watch me. I am going to do great things." And HE did and continues to do so. HE let this girl live 3 years longer than diagnosed. HE proved time and time again, HE was in control - not the doctors, not their diangosis, not even Rachel's mom or dad, not even Rachel. HE had control. Rachel's favorite verse was "Go therefore and made disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit taching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) Rachel lived her favorite verse.

My best-friend is hurting. What do I say? Nothing. Pray for her. Cry with her. Laugh with her. Grieve with her. Her words on this blog would be telling each of you to love your babies now and each day. To remind you, we think these babies are ours, but they are HE's first. HE knows them before we know of them. HE knows each hair on their head, HE knows each one by name, HE knows when He is going to call them home...and only HE knows. And with that we are to enjoy these gifts, these blessings every moment we breath. We are to be thankful to HE, who has allowed us to be part of our children's lives, and allowed us to take care of them however long HE has chosen.

I admire my friend. I appreciate how she has taught me how to lean on God in every circumstance. How HE answers every question we have. How even through the hardest challenges she, I and you can trust in HE, who will hold us. HE remains to be the wind in my friend's sails, and HE is the wind in mine.

School is Fun!

I don't ever remember school ever being fun. We read everything out of our text books, not fully grasping what is written in them, memorizing facts and taking tests to see what our brain can hold, only for the fact to forget it a week later. I don't have any great memories in school. Perhaps it is just me...but that's my experience.

Now I have the privilege to do school all over again...not once but three times and counting! The end of the school year is quickly approaching and our girls are bombarded with projects. Each of them needing a bit of help. And this is the reason our blog has been quiet. Take a peak of everything we have learned...

Katie's Math, History & English Project...history of and how to calculate the dimensions of a building into a manageable size to reconstruct. Katie decided to learn about Big Ben and make it out of GINGERBREAD!

And then enjoyable for her whole class to eat!

Katie's science fair... Katie and her teammates decided to take three different black markers (permanent marker, dry erase and crayola pen) into four different liquids (Paint thinner, alcohol, vinegar and Sprite) to see which stain would remove/affect the stain better. Their project made the top 6, so they went to Denver to be in the ACSI competition. There they each received a 2nd place ribbon for their project.

Courtney's Science Fair...If science involves cooking, then Courtney will learn it! And that is the avenue she took. She learned the difference between high and low altitude baking due to the thinner air in the elevation. Thanks to some dear friends, they made toll house chocolate chip cookies and shipped them. Courtney made the same recipe and found them to be not as thick as CA cookies. She adjusted the recipe (dry ingredients and added an egg) and found them to be even thinner then the original CO cookies. She adjusted the recipe again (just the dry ingredients) and was able to get the same thickness as the CA cookies. And being that the science fair was on her birthday, all the 5th graders, staff and so much more were able to enjoy in her celebration with chocolate cookies!

Katie - soccer! And being that basketball season is at an end. Now there is soccer.

Coming soon...Concerts and Recitals! (just a little busy these days!)