Our African Children

We have two kids here in America.  They came from my womb. They are little versions of Adam and myself.

We also have two or three kids in Africa. How do we know? God put them in our heart. Why are they not from America, or China, or Russia, or Haiti?  We don't know. They are in Africa. 

We thought they were in Ethiopia. Then this week we got some news that rattled us a little.  Ethiopia is slowing down.  The South region where our agency received 80% of their referrals is not referring children anymore.  There are many reasons for this but the bottom line is our wait time would be years, maybe more then 3 years.  

"God what would you have us do?" 

Our agency has just started a pilot program in Ghana.  I researched, googled, made calls. The paperwork is virtually the same and ours is almost complete. Ghana here we come!

There have been several times during this whole when I have wished the paperwork would have happened quicker but had that happened our Dossier could already be in Ethiopia and then this switch would be much more difficult and costly.  As it is, the switch should be fairly easy.

"Lord, we have prayed for you to open and close doors.  This seems clear to us. Are our babies in Ghana? We trust you and wait expectantly for the rest of the Thompson kids to come home. Keep us on the right path. Keep our kids safe. Show them your love through the people around them. Thank you for your abundant blessings."

A Great Start

Liz and Emily at Whitewater

We had a great summer.  Lots of fun trips to Jacksonville, a trip to NJ/NY, many days at Six Flags Whitewater and lots of good family days. I told the kids this was the best summer yet and they said I say that every year.  What can I say?  I love summer.

Something else is true...I LOVE fall!  I love the change in season. I love the start of school with the new routine. I love watching my kids play organized sports. I love considering the holidays that are close enough to look forward to but not too close to create any pressure or stress.  I love fall!!!

First Day of School

School started last Monday and it was a great start. Both of the kids have wonderful teachers who fit them perfectly.  Both kids have one of their best friends in their class and have come home each day with big smiles.  It's been a great start. 

Cael also started fall baseball last week and will begin flag football tonight.  

Liz started her first golf lesson last night and we are looking forward to seeing how she takes to that sport.  Adam is hoping they can spend many hours together on the golf course for years to come.  She will also do a gymnastics class with her bestie on Thursday night. 

Both kids will be taking piano this year starting next Monday.  

Our fall will be busy but not too busy.  

What I keep considering is how the addition of 2 or 3 children will change that structure.  Phew.  Sometimes it is a bit overwhelming to consider.  Then I am reminded that this is God's calling for our lives.  Our lives weren't meant to be easy, comfortable, and smooth.  

I just spent the day with my best friend.  She has taught me so much about making the most of the life God has given me.  Whether my life on earth lasts 39 years or 89 years I want to be faithful. 

Here I am. It's Tuesday. Use me today, Lord!

Adoption Journey

So many people have been asking about the status of our adoption and I realized I haven't even posted anything on the blog about it at all.  Please forgive me!

Adam and I have always been open to adoption as a wonderful option for our family.  We truly desire to serve God with our whole lives and know that taking care of orphans and widows is very important to God.  We have prayed about this for the past several years and then in 2011 we both felt called to pursue adoption more aggressively. God continued to open our hearts to orphans and particularly those orphans in Ethiopia. We had the blessing of meeting a family with 3 biological children and 2 adopted sibling daughters from Ethiopia.  We were privileged to read a blog by a missionary in Ethiopia that wrecked our hearts (in a good way). We were constantly bombarded with newspaper and magazine articles, radio stories and songs, and loving people who felt called to adoption.  All of these things brought is so much confirmation that this was God's plan for our family.

Through our prayers, God confirmed Ethiopia as the destination for the rest of the Thompson kids. Adam and I felt strongly that adopting more children into our family would be a family affair.  Elizabeth and Cael have been praying with us from the beginning. They recognize that we are very blessed and feel the desire to share those blessings with others.

In August 2011 we submitted our preliminary application for adoption with Bethany Christian Services Agency.
In December 2011 our formal application was approved.
In January 2012 we began our home study paperwork and completed all of it as well as our four interview/home study visits and required education by June 2012.

We are currently waiting for our home study to be finalized and approved and then we will begin working on our Dossier. We are requesting 2 or 3 siblings under the age of 6 from Ethiopia.  We trust God and look forward to meeting our new children!

Tears...amazing couple!

Tears...Amazing couple....Amazing God!

Watch their video here.

Awesome Spring Break

The kids and I just came back from an almost perfect Spring Break.  Actually the only reason it wasn't perfect was because Adam couldn't be with us.  :-(

First we started Spring Break in Atlanta with a fun All-Star Baseball Tournament.  We decided as a family to take this year off and not do All-star baseball this summer since it takes up so much time.  However, the Sharks needed a sub for this early season tournament and they asked Cael to join them.  The team played great and won the whole tournament.  Fun!

Following the championship game on Sunday night, the kids and I got in the car and drove to Jacksonville.  We were very excited to see family and also to see Nana and Bopa's new house on the beach!

We arrived about midnight and when we woke up the next morning we were so excited to see this incredible view of the ocean and sunrise.  Spectacular!

We spent the whole day on the beach.  Aunt Judy and Aunt Shela came out with their kids Kaleigh, Ashton, Colin, Kassie, Braelyn and Leighton.  We had so much fun!

On Tuesday, Aunt Erica came out with Braddock and Beckham and my great friend from high school, Jessica, came out with her three kids and her sweet pregnant belly.  Also, one of my friends from Rochester who now lives in Jacksonville, Jenny, came out with her husband and kids.  Never-ending party on the beach! Love it!

On Tuesday night, some of out closest friends that we were stationed with in Germany came for a visit and sleepover on their drive back to DC from Disney.  Rob and Beth Kimmel and their boys Noah and Caleb joined us at the beach and pool on Wednesday.  It was a blast!

Wednesday was my dad's day off and my mom only had to work a half day so the whole crew was on the beach that day! McGarvey Clan together.  All the cousins loved playing together and the rest of us enjoyed watching and visiting.  We ended the day perfectly with a trip to O'steens for dinner.  It was so yummy!!!!

The kids got to have a sleepover at Aunt Judy's house on Wednesday night and she made us a yummy lunch on Thursday. Then we drove home.  It was an easy drive.

Such a fun week!  Looking forward to Easter this weekend!!!  Thank you Jesus for blessing us in so many ways and for dying on the cross for us!

Great Guests

We have really enjoyed some special visitors lately.

1) My great in-laws, Steve and Gloria Thompson, drove up from Jacksonville for a few days to help us get settled before they hit the road in their new home on wheels. Thanks for coming Papa and Granny!


2) Betsy flew out from Minnesota.  We had so much fun eating out and relaxing! Specials highs included a Nutella Milkshake from Flip Burger Boutique, Avacado Eggrolls from Taquera Tsunamis and Crispy California Rolls from Kuroshio. Yes....we ate VERY well.



3) As Betsy flew home to Rochester, Heather was on her way out.  These cute girls could have high-fived in the sky. ;-) Heather and I took a fun road trip through the mountains of North Carolina to spend a couple of days with one of our favorite people, Kristen Milligan.  We had a blast visiting together and working on digital scrapbooks. We also attended Passion City Church and indulged in some avocado egg rolls, nutella milkshakes and yummy Smashburgers.  (I'm a pig!)

4) A few days after Heather left, my twin sister Judy and her four kids drove up from Jacksonville. Despite fighting a stomach illness, I really enjoyed their visit.  We cheered Cael on in two baseball games, went skating, and enjoyed playing and hanging out in the new house.  Kassie particularly enjoyed spending time with Lacey and those two became close buddies. So cute!

Not bad for four weeks in a new home! Who's next?

Love the New House

    

 

Several weeks ago we moved into our brand new home.  I love it!  Really. I love it so much!

There are so many spots in the home where I feel so cozy, productive or relaxed.

I love sitting at my new desk (just off the kitchen) and working on my computer, or bills, or IOH stuff.

I love sitting at the HUGE kitchen island and reading mail or email.

I love working at the stove or sink and watching the kids or the TV or the beautiful view out back.

I love sitting on the back deck and hearing the creek and the birds and the crickets.

I love sitting on the front porch and looking down the street filled with kids playing and good neighbors.

 

I love sitting in my cozy bed and watching my favorite TV shows or movies or reading my bible or writing in the kids' journals, or watching the tops of the trees sway out all the windows.

I love the laundry room right next to all the bedrooms.

I love the bright sunny bathroom and the big soaking tub (which I haven't actually used yet)!

I love the pretty color that is called grey but often looks blue.

I love the big red barn that I can see out my master bathroom window.

I love the mirrors I found at Home Goods, Big Lots and Hobby Lobby in each bathroom.

I really do love the new house so much.

Come visit!

Overwhelmed

I thought I was doing fine...

I am.

I think.

Yes, there is a lot going on right now.

Building and moving into a new house in a couple of weeks.

Planning and organizing an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat for 16 families in Disney World next weekend.

Starting the adoption process for the African siblings that God has already prepared to join our family.

The problem is I am not overwhelmed because of all these big things going on.  I realized today I have not been spending ANY time in God's word and very little time in prayer.

I KNOW these things are crucial in feeling peace.  I KNOW these things are crucial in sustaining an abundant life. I KNOW my life is better and smoother and more fun when I spend time with my Creator, my Sustainer, my Father, my Comforter, my Guide, my Best Friend.

I'm gonna quit blogging now and read what He has to say to me tonight and then I am going to talk to Him a bit.

Out.