Lydia Hope

Love

2012-02-15T18:58:00.002-05:00

'He brought me to the banqueting house and His banner over me was love.'

Song of Solomon 2:4

'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.'

John 15:13

'But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.'

Romans 5:8

'For God so loved the world.........

that He gave......

His only begotten Son,........

that whoever believes in Him......

should not perish.......

but have everlasting life.'

John 3:16

Love suffers long and is kind;

love does not envy;

does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,

is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails......

God is LOVE!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 John 4:8

My Mum arrived here three weeks, just a couple of days after we returned from Uganda. She will be with us for another three weeks and we are so blessed to have her here!!

The Children at Noah's Ark Children's Ministry

2012-02-13T22:42:00.003-05:00

I am not sure that any words are necessary for this post. I will let these faces speak for themselves. But I will say this, the children here were so precious and we gave and received so many hugs. However, when we had to put them down (which was very difficult because they had latched onto us securely,) the screaming began from all the children in the room. It was very hard to walk away. The children there are all being well cared for in this beautiful environment.

As soon as they saw us, they all came running. It was the sweetest thing!

Stickers are always a favourite.

The lunch room is now full!

Earlier I shared how the children were climbing out of their cribs at nap time to come and see us....... made us smile :)

The beautiful red dirt.

This is a copy of their first Newspaper informing readers of the work and ministry. It is very well done. If you are interested in knowing more about the headline, 'Baby Dumped In Pit Latrine', watch the video below for the full story. Little Jethro has made a full recovery and now lives in this home.

Recap Day 7 ~ Noah's Ark Children's Ministry

2012-02-13T07:43:00.004-05:00

In 1996, Piet and Pita Buitendijk moved from Holland to Uganda to serve the Lord. With the support of many others from their country, other's in Europe and the US, Noah's Ark Children's Ministry was established and Jeff and I had the privilege of walking through this community and seeing all that the Lord is doing. It is very impressive indeed with around 130 children living there, a medical center, an elementary school for the children there and others in the community, a church, staff housing, a workshop and farm. They are self sufficient with their own well and clean drinking water through the taps, cows, pigs, a mango orchard and chickens in the future. They have employed Ugandans to take care of the children and work to help maintain this ministry. They even have a recycle bin!

We were allowed to take pictures here so I have over 70 to share! I plan to put up two parts today, the first to capture the ministry and things I described above and then I will share the precious faces of the children there.

This is where the children eat. It was empty when we first arrived but later during our time there, this room was full of little ones eating lunch. What a sight to behold that was!

The ovens.

Staff preparing food.

Recycling! (And I think I have a tonne to recyle!)

Cribs for the toddlers. (Check back later to see another picture I snapped with them literally climbing out these beds to get to us.)

Cribs for the babies...... aahh, so precious!

Water tank.

The incinerator

The laundry room! If you think you have too much to do, just take a look at this!

The medical clinic,

The buildings are beautiful. We were very impressed with the architecture. There are paths running throughout the buildings and many areas to walk. It was certainly the most impressive of all the places we visited during our time in Uganda and I think we were more amazed that everything was built in just six years from nothing. Anything is possible with God!

The school buildings.

The workshops. The Ugandan staff build many items for the community there. There were cribs and beds either being fixed or recycled, not sure exactly, but everyone was working hard.

This is a family unit where children who are 7 years and older move into with about 8-10 other children and have a caregiver/mother who lives with them. Presently there are three homes but the vision is to build many more for other children to live. Piet and Pita desire to keep the children at Noah's Ark until they 18 years old. Children are not usually adopted, especially internationally unless they have special needs. We were blessed to meet Pita during our visit, especially because she is still recovering from being shot in her head in November during a visit to South Africa. We were surprised to even see her! Piet and Pita are known as Papa and Mama by all the children there.

We stepped inside one of these family homes to see how they live. This is one of their bedrooms with beautiful handmade quilts and disney princess characters painted on the walls.

Bicycles for all to share.

To learn more about Noah's Ark Children's Ministry, visit their site.

Valentine Cookie Winner

2012-02-11T14:24:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone for your support!

Ribbens Family Granted Legal Guardianship!

2012-02-09T22:03:00.003-05:00

Now I can share pictures of this beautiful little girl who is legally a Ribbens!!!

The first thing I did this morning was log onto FB and see if Sara had received good news.

AND SHE DID!!!

They received a positive ruling today in Uganda.

And we are all rejoicing with them.

They are going home after 11 months!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers.

Check Out The Delicious Fundraiser For Our Adoption!!!

2012-02-07T18:31:00.004-05:00

My Sister Hannah has graciously offered to GIVEAWAY 13 Valentine Sugar Cookies to ONE winner! She is a fantastic baker and I have mentioned her before on my blog. Her cookies are seriously delicious, made from wheat and sugar and other scrummy ingredients! She uses Royal Icing to decorate each cookie so beautifully and everything is exclusively designed by her. I am so proud of her and all that she does and I would encourage you to visit her site and see her creations.

Sugar and Spice

If you would like to enter to win all 13 cookies, please donate a minimum of $10 per entry. More donations will entitle you to more entries.

Retail Price $3 per cookie.

This GIVEAWAY starts NOW and ends on Friday 10th February at Midnight.

Please donate through Paypal.

My sister will send the cookies to the winner in time for Valentine's Day BUT I do ask that the winner sends me an address as soon as she/he has been notified so that Hannah can send them on Saturday. Delivery will only be guaranteed by Valentine's Day if you live in the USA NOT the UK. She will still send the cookies to anyone in the UK but this will take longer.

Thank you so to everyone who helps to bring our children home!

We are getting closer.......... just had our biometrics (fingerprints) taken today!!

Thank you Hannah!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
New King James Version (NKJV)
⁴Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Please Pray For The Ribbens Family

2012-02-06T19:32:00.005-05:00

Eleven months ago today, Andy and Sara boarded a plane to Uganda for their first court appearance. Little did they realise that they would still be in country almost a year later! The Ribbens family were granted Legal guardianship for their son but not for their daughter and thus began the wait for another court date. It was not until December 14th that they were asked to appear in court. Since that date they have been waiting for their second court date which will be the ruling. A week ago today, Andy finally had to leave his family in Uganda and make his way back to the States. We felt their pain and have been on our knees constantly during this past week.

You see I first heard about their story last Summer and began to pray for them. I started emailing Sara and she has been such a blessing to us! Yes SHE has been the blessing to me! In the midst of her own trial, this sister has reached out to others, prayed for others, given so much advice concerning the adoption process and never stopped smiling and praising her LORD! She is such a servant who knows what it means to lay down her life for her family and friends!

I met this precious family a few weeks ago in Uganda at Cafe Roma, (great Italian restaurant I might add.) We enjoyed every moment with them, learning more about the difficulties they have endured and getting to pray for them that God would open the door for them to go home. I have to admit that it was certainly one of my highlights during that entire trip. In all honesty, I was shocked that they were still there and had fully expected them to be home by the time we traveled. But I am so thankful that we were able to spend an evening with them.

Well....... the mountains are starting to shake....... the prayers of so many are being heard for this family and we have just heard news that they should have a ruling this Thursday! I want to ask anyone who reads this blog for your prayers for this family. Sara is longing to go home with her children. Our God is able to part the Red Sea, He is able to bring down the walls of Jericho and He is able to grant them permission to have legal guardianship for their daughter. Please stand shoulder to shoulder with us as we cry out to God for His help. These gorgeous children need to be home with their Daddy. (I have some really cute pictures of their daughter and can't wait to post them once they have LG!)

'Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The LORD himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense?'

Exodus 14:13-14

Waiting And Being Still

2012-02-05T08:26:00.004-05:00

That place of waiting. I know many of you have been in that place for a long time. I have blog friends who have been waiting for months to hear news of their adoption. There have been many times in our walk with the Lord when He has asked us to wait and to be still. Sometimes my heart groans when I feel His words being impressed upon my heart and since returning from Uganda, we have heard God ask us to wait. I find myself wondering why. Haven't we waited long enough already? Didn't we travel a really difficult road to Lydia Hope which took five years? The panic sets in when my mind travels down the possibility that this journey to our children could also take a really long time.

God only asks us to wait because He is more concerned with the work He wants to accomplish in our hearts. Whenever I sense that God is withholding something from us, I know it is because He is testing what is in our hearts. Do we really love God more than we love what we do for Him? Is He the main focus of our heart or is it the task that lies ahead? How much time am I spending truly sitting at His feet and allowing my heart to be conformed into His image? Or am I spending more time focusing on the desire and passion of my heart which I want God to bring to pass?

These are questions I ask myself just lately. And the reality for me is that I fail. Over and over again. When the desire does not come in the expected time I had hoped it would, then I begin to search my heart for idols. And usually there is at least one. I realise that there is something that has taken the place of my Lord on the throne of my heart and I need to repent. It does not matter how wonderful the 'idol' may seem and other's may look on and say, "but the thing you desire to do is good and right and God even commands it in His word!" Yes it may be all these things BUT if Jesus is not first, if I am pursuing this thing more than Him, then it is an idol.

And that is why God sometimes asks us to wait a little longer, at least that is the case for me. It is to 'prove' me and show me what is in my heart. And when I am completely still at His feet and at rest and enjoying my sweet times with Jesus, my contentment is in Him. Whether the answer comes speedily or not, it will matter very little because all I shall desire is Jesus!

Please pray for me that I will truly be still in His presence.

If anyone else wants pray also for this very thing, please leave a comment or email me privately. I would love to pray for you!

(email can be found in my profile.)

Let me encourage you with this wonderful devotion I read this morning from Streams In The Desert.

'You will not leave in haste'.

Isaiah 52:12

'I do not believe we have even begun to understand the wonderful power there is in being still. We are in such a hurry, always doing, that we are in danger of not allowing God the opportunity to work. You may be sure that God will never say to us, "Stand still," "Sit still," or "Be still," unless He is going to do something. This is our problem regarding the Christian life: we want to do something to be Christians, instead of allowing Him to work in us.

Think of how still you stand when your picture is being taken, as the photographer captures your likeness on film. God has one eternal purpose for us: that we should be 'conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). But in order for that to happen, we much stand still. We hear so much today about being active, but maybe we need to learn what it means to be quiet.

I believe that God has so many treasures of darkness that He wants to reveal to each one of us, but it cannot happen unless we are still.

If You Say Go, We Will go, If You Say Wait, We Will Wait.

2012-02-04T09:22:00.003-05:00

"If You say go, we will go;

if You say wait, we will wait.

If You say step out on the water, and they say it can't be done,

we will fix our eyes on You and we will come."

Recap ~ Days 4, 5 and 6

2012-02-03T13:33:00.004-05:00

For three days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) we met with three lawyers and visited 9 orphanages. These days were interesting to say the least. There were moments of joy as we spent time seeing and loving on the children; sharing stickers and lollypops, hugs and games. There were also moments of sadness and frustration and times when I would have to bite my lip really hard to stop the tears from coming.

There are no pictures to share of these children. There is not really much to share in words. I do ask that you pray for God's will to be done whatever that looks like, in His way and time. He loves those children far more than we do and He has a plan for every single little life.

However I do have pictures to share which portray the beautiful culture there which we enjoyed so much! Every day brought interesting people, foods and sights across our path. I seemed to spend my time pointing out all the fascinating things we saw and pulling out my camera every second. Everything felt new and yet familiar at the same time. Driving and crossing the streets felt so normal to me that I was honestly not even aware that it was opposite to the US. Neither were certain words which were used which I am more familiar with. But some things were totally unexpected and new. Such as sugar cane....... ever tried sucking out the sweet juice from the skin? Surprisingly refreshing! Jeff almost ate the whole lot. I always said he had a sweet tooth :).

I was fascinated with the way the ladies carry huge baskets and containers on their heads. Talk about strength and good posture!

What is that on her head? A sack of potatoes?

I loved the way the Ugandans called white potatoes, 'Irish potatoes'.

These huge bags are filled with potatoes.

Little shops.....

markets selling fruits and vegetables..... fresh and organic

People everywhere, sitting, waiting, never in a hurry.

It was always entertaining to see how many things they could carry on their boda bodas!

A common sight in Uganda.....

so is this.......

but four men......? wow!!

I wish I had taken a picture of the boda boda with two parents and three children perched in between!

In case you did not know...... we LOVE coffee. After all my husband is Italian. When we went to Venice for our 10th wedding anniversary, I discovered cappuccinos and have been addicted ever since. I never thought that I would ever taste coffee so creamy and mild..... until that is, I went to Uganda.

Would you believe that I had the best ever veggie burger..... right there in Kampala at 'Good African?' Oh yes I did. I highly suggest you try it too, made with vegetables that still looked like veggies and which tasted delicious!

(If anyone is interested in places to eat at in Kampala, I have a list which I will gladly share. Chasity was a huge help to me and shared many great eating places with me before we left! Thank you!)

Wordless Wednesday ~ (The Not So Glamorous Pictures!)

2012-02-01T08:27:00.001-05:00

Keeping it real :)

Day 3 ~ Sixty Feet and M1

2012-01-30T20:11:00.006-05:00

Meet Mama Catherine.

She is quite well known in the Uganda world of adoption and rightly so.

She has a heart so big that she will do whatever it takes to look after those who are in need.

Ask Dan and Shelly Owens. They know all about the sacrifice that her and Ernest her husband have made. (Please click on the links above to read more details.)

I was so blessed when I saw Mama Catherine there at M1 when we visited during our trip to Uganda. I gave her such a huge hug and told her that I had read about the work of her hands and told her how famous she is in the States!! She laughed so humbly as if she simply could not understand why!

Kelsey who is one of the interns for SF is a beautiful example of a servant. She drove us to the facility which she visits twice a week and serves in many ways. She is another example of humility and we loved our time with her learning more about the ministry. Kirby is also there serving SF and she also has such a passion for what God has clearly called them to do.

You can follow both their blogs and keep up with what God is doing through them......

Kelsey's blog

Kirby's Blog

Visiting the remand center was unlike any place I have ever seen. My words cannot possibly describe the details and things we saw. The children there are such a blessing to be around and many have such a joy despite their circumstances. Other's especially the new ones, (the ones not wearing the shirts) seem sad, lost and fearful.

Some have been there for a couple of years and other's a couple of months. Every one has a different story to tell and some are willing to share. Other's are not. Some committed minor crimes and other's were dropped off by their parents. In fact, the majority of children I spoke with, had been left there by their Mum or Dad. I asked if they came to visit them. Some parents do, other's do not.

Whatever their story, these children need our prayers.

This boy had made himself a radio which actually worked!

Pop corn!

SixtyFeet are helping immensely. It is evident that they are considered to be such a blessing to the facilities there. We were able to visit another one later in the week known as M3 but I did not take pictures there. M3 was just as difficult to visit, if not more so because the children there are young. Most of the ones in M1 are over the age of 8, whereas in M3 they are younger than 8.

SixtyFeet now have a sponsorship program for the children to help with their education, food and medical needs.

Thanks to the donations that have poured into SF, land has now been purchased and the vision is to build a home for the more vulnerable and younger children who are currently living at the center. I am so excited to watch what God is going to do this year through this humble ministry and His servants!!

But in the meantime, please pray for the children who remain in this place. We were so encouraged to see that they are being taught the Bible and many evidently love Him and worship Him and have given their lives to Him. God is writing a testimony on the lives of every single child and He will use these children to speak of His love, mercy and grace.

One boy has already been used in my life personally.

And I had the privilege of getting to meet him in the car as he drove away from M1 for the first time in a year and seven months! At first I did not realise who he was until he began to share with Kelsey who was driving him (and us) back to Kampala.

What a joy to hear that he has been sponsored to attend culinary school and that he will no longer be living in M1!! God is good and this young man has been faithful in spite of his difficulties. And God has set Him free!!!!

Please watch the video of him...... it is a testimony of what God has done and is doing!

The Dance from Sixty Feet on Vimeo.

Winston Churchill said, 'Never never never give up.'

And neither should we.

Day 2 ~ Church

2012-01-28T18:26:00.003-05:00

Brian is the Pastor of Calvary Chapel Kampala which was planted over ten years ago. We were very excited to attend on Sunday morning. Jeff and I felt quite at home with the worship and teaching of the word and there was something so beautiful about worshipping with the believers there that we have never experienced before.

The view from outside the church. The building is in the city center.

For lunch we visited 1000 Cups which I had heard was a good to place to eat. I had the best avocado filled with tuna and Jeff ordered a delicious coffee made of peanut butter, chocolate, coffee and honey.

I would recommend visiting this cafe for lunch or just coffee. Great cappuccinos and sandwiches and fresh juices. Across the street is a market selling great African wares.

Our driver Evan, drove us to the church that he attends, St Paul's Cathedral which is located on top of Namirembe Hill. When we walked inside, there was a Christening taking place which we stayed to watch, all in Lugandan but still beautiful to witness.

This lady was sitting outside and beckoned for us to go over and sit with her and share why we were there. She is a believer in Christ with such a warm and friendly heart and I could have stayed with her all day, relaxing in the sun. It does not matter where you travel, there are always people sitting...... waiting. I am not sure what for but no one is in a hurry at all.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT UGANDA THAT I LOVED THE MOST!!

I know for some people this would drive you crazy. And perhaps if I lived there for quite some time, it would me also. But truthfully, I love the slow pace. I always have and I love that the culture there forces you to slow down and sit down and absorb the beauty that God created which would otherwise be missed.

Recap Day 1 ~ Travel and Amazima

2012-01-27T08:39:00.003-05:00

The time had arrived. We were packed and ready to leave. We had said our goodbyes to our children and dropped them off at the two families who graciously agreed to look after them.

Now we were ready to depart from RDU Airport and begin the 8 hour flight to London!

I slept the entire flight there, (thanks to a little anti nausea medicine) which worked well since it was a night flight.

As I mentioned before, it was very emotional for me when the lights of London came into view on our descent. I was so very excited to walk through the airport and taste all things familiar.

In fact we made the mistake of buying way too much food and drink from M and S and then realised that we needed to drink the huge bottle of breakfast shake before going through security. No way was I parting with my beloved 'Banana oatmeal' breakfast shake! So we literally rolled onto the plane, bellies full and feeling somewhat like pigs!

We met with our agency representative who had arrived on a different flight from DC and had a very tight connection. So we were especially pleased to see she had made it. There was also a team from VO on our flight to Uganda who were heading to the North. (Not the same one that Dan Owens led who we later met.)

The flight to Entebbe, Uganda was a little less than 9 hours. I slept for about four and then discovered that the first four episodes of one of my favourite shows 'Downton Abbey' was available to watch. After that I was glued to the screen and completely oblivious to any turbulence that occurred!

Our 'new' friend Brian who is the Pastor of CC Kampala, met us at the airport. It took forever to get through immigration and obtain our visas. The airport was flooded with people and heat, even at almost midnight!

The drive to Naguru where we stayed took about an hour. We experienced the bumpy roads I have read about and realised just how hilly Kampala and the surrounding region is. After meeting Jill, Brian's wife and discovering that we had been at Bible College with her in California, we finally crashed into our beds at 3.00 am.

Excited to be there.

And tummies full on chipatis which we love.

The next day was already planned...... we were driving to Jinja to visit Katie Davis and the Amazima Feeding program for almost 500 children!

A few pictures of our view from the car.........

It was very surreal pulling up to the pavilion where Katie and the Ugandan staff all work together to serve the children with food both physically and spiritually. We immediately spotted Katie and she came over with Brad (another American who has been serving there for a year) to meet us. Katie is very down to earth and welcoming. There must be so many people who stop in to see the work that God is doing there, (in fact while we were there another car pulled up with several men who sponsor some of the children there.) Her recent book, "Kisses From Katie" has given the work there much publicity. Yet she remains very humble. Her love for the children is evident and their love for her can be clearly seen in the way they interact. The feeding program is certainly well organised and the children are so well behaved. For that many little ones to be able to line up, wash their hands, patiently wait for their plate, there has to be some order and consistency. They all respect the leaders and helpers and genuinely have an adoration for those in charge. The older ones look out for the younger and help to take care of them by carrying them around on their backs. If there was one thing that we took away from our day there, it was that these children are well loved and are learning about Jesus and His love for them!

And so at the end of the day, each child was sent home with a bag of rice, beans, posho and soap for their family. These bags are given to the children every single week. It was a blessing for Jeff and I to give each child one of these bags before they began their walk home.

The trail of jade green bags leaving the site warmed my heart. These joyful, sweet children taught us a lesson on thankfulness that day. I shall never forget their faces, their hugs and their love for the Lord.

Processing

2012-01-26T14:53:00.004-05:00

I have read that there are many aspects of a trip to Uganda that need to be processed. While we walked the dirt roads and bounced along in the car, I had some time to reflect upon each day. But truthfully my thoughts were engaged in the lives of those around me rather than my own feelings. Had I really stopped to contemplate the devastating lives I witnessed, I probably would have crumpled in a heap and been of no use to anyone. Yes it hurt to see the pain in the eyes of the children and to hear their stories but each time I had to give my emotions to God so that I could get through that moment.

There was only one time when I really lost all control of my emotions and the tears came fast and furious. We were at an orphanage and the Director was sharing the stories of some of the children there. After hearing the abuse that one girl and been exposed to and looking into her beautiful dark eyes, I immediately felt my own welling up. I wanted to run out of that building and sob for that young life that has been snatched away, that life that has been told is defiled and cursed. It was too much and I was overcome with grief. My compassionate husband who was also deeply affected, turned to this precious child and told her that she is a child of God and is not cursed. That He loves her and has a plan for her life which will be shown to her one step at a time. How I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and whisper His promises to her. I may not be able to but God can. I pray that she will know His love and experience the restoration that can take place when we place our lives in His.

Now that I am home, it is as though all those moments of hearing the stories and seeing the lives are now touching my heart. I do not think I allowed every single story to penetrate into my heart because it was too much to bear. I could not handle embracing all the pain at once. So now I am processing and meditating on the words that were spoken and the sights we witnessed for ourselves. And it hurts. I spent most of Monday sobbing. I felt so very down and all out of sorts. I could not stop hugging my children and reminding them how much I love them. And yet honestly, I was not in the best of moods and felt frustrated at the same time. Overwhelmed with being back in the US, surrounded by so much and annoyed that there are lives that do not have a fraction of what we do. I do not envy their poverty and wonder how in the world I could possibly survive in such a place but I do envy the simplicity of their lives. Oh yes, I long for that. And I know that I am not the only one who longs for a simpler life.

I will try to capture certain aspects of our time in Uganda. I know that I shall not be able to really show you what it is like being there. You will just have to go for yourself :) But as you travel along the dirt roads with me, try and imagine that you are breathing in exhaust fumes and dust constantly, especially in Kampala. Imagine with me also that the traffic is unlike anything you have seen in your neck of the woods ( worse than London and New york too.) Boda, bodas (motorbikes) whizzing past on both sides of the car as they maneuver their way through traffic, with numerous passengers including children perched in between. I have been to China twice and seen the traffic there and yet somehow this seemed much worse. And try to picture the sights on the side of the roads. Women carrying baskets of bananas on their heads; children carrying large water jugs. Washing lines hanging between little shacks, live chickens in cages and pieces of meat hanging from the hooks in store fronts. Children, naked or half clothed sitting and playing in the red dirt and often times much too close to the side of the road. Toddlers with no parents to be seen, skinny dogs and cows and goats dotted along the way. Huge storks-type birds everywhere, men perched on boda bodas, waiting, women stirring huge pots and cooking. Imagine a place where so many have so little and yet have such thankful hearts. It did not matter where we went but we were always greeted with love and smiles. I have never seen such beautiful smiling people anywhere else on this earth. And it is their smiles that I miss and their patience and ability to be flexible. There is so much that I need to learn from them.

As I go back and choose the pictures to post here, I really want to share them so that those of you who have never been may be inspired to go. But as I look over each picture and face and remember, I realise that much of this journaling is also for me. It is helping me to process the things that we saw and heard. It is causing me to prayerfully reflect upon each day and ask the Lord to show me more of Him.

(Back with more later.)

Safely Home

2012-01-22T21:16:00.002-05:00

Home again.

Tired but thankful to have our four children in our arms again.

So grateful for our time in Uganda.

Broken hearted by the things we saw.

Crushed by the stories we heard.

Encouraged by the work of Godly hands in that land.

Blessed to have seen with our own eyes and touched with our own hands, those who are truly the least of these.

I'll be back with more to share.

Meanwhile........ my bed is calling my name!

The End of Our Time Here

2012-01-20T12:14:00.003-05:00

It is Friday evening here and our last night in Naguru where we are staying. The last few days have been really busy meeting with Lawyers, visiting baby homes and guesthouses for future trips. We have had some really divine appointments where God has orchestrated meetings for us that we could never have done ourselves. We never knew how many contacts we already had in Uganda! Our time with our hosts here have been so precious and I shall be able to share more pictures of them when we return. In fact, I shall be sharing MANY pictures when we return home. (It will probably take a few weeks to fully capture our time here.)

Every day has been filled with bumpy car rides and exhaust fumes and dust, smiling faces and African handshakes, children and babies clinging onto us and refusing to let us go, the best avocados and fruit we have ever tasted, power cuts and real java. I have so many faces etched on my mind forever. I have so many sights imprinted on my heart. I have experienced so many smells that I shall never forget. It has truly been a wonderful time.

We still continue to pray for confirmation for many requests that we have and we shall wait and see what the Lord does. But we have taken steps that have been very important for our family and we now see how essential it was that we visit and make contacts personally. There are so many needs here and it can feel overwhelming when facing the difficulties and wondering how we can pray and help in a small way. Just loving the children in the Remand center and Reception center (we visited M3 yesterday after noon...... so, so hard,) seems to be the best thing we can do. Allowing them to climb on us and squeeze our white arms and hands seems to be the best therapy for these love-starved children. We have listened to many stories here in Uganda and felt so heartbroken. So many who have been abandoned and abused. But there is hope and we have been encouraged that there are people here whom God has brought who are making a difference.

We visit one more orphanage tomorrow. Our flight is not until midnight so we shall have most of the day to relax and hopefully visit some of our favourite hot spots! I will be sharing these when I get back. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I just gave up after Tuesday because it has been taking so long. Our flight arrives on Sunday afternoon and we can't wait to see our children! We have missed them!

Thank you for all your prayers! We have really been so blessed to be here and have sensed so many of your lifting us up to Jesus. There has been no sickness at all and believe it not but we have eaten chicken several times and beef and fish, curries and burritos and burgers, ice cream and shakes.... oh the list goes on. The food here is amazing! I am not sure why so many families who have traveled here from the US have lost weight here! I think we have gained so much :)! There is chocolate from the UK and biscuits and certain foods I recognise. We found a great bakery selling breads, croissants, sausage rolls and meats pies just like I am used to in England. There is Fanta, Ribena and Vimto from England too. We have certainly been more adventurous than I thought we would be when it came to trying food.

Please pray for our flights home tomorrow and Sunday that there would be no delays and no bumps. You all know how much I love to fly and to be honest, the flights over here were wonderful. I am hoping that I may have overcome my fear of flying with God's help.

I,C,E and L......... we will be home in just two more sleeps!!!!!! We love you all. Can't wait to see you.

SixtyFeet

2012-01-17T13:29:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, I have been following the ministry SixtyFeet for over a year. I have seen pictures of the children in the remand center known as M1 and videos that SF have posted over the last year. Yet nothing...... and I mean nothing can compare to actually walking through the grounds and seeing the faces of a couple hundred of God's children who are living in this facility because of either minor crimes they have committed or were simply dropped off by their parents for many different reasons.

We were blessed to visit the same time that a team from Visiting Orphans were there. Dan Owens whom many of you may know as the husband of Shelly is leading the team this week. It was great to meet him and many of you already know their story of how God led them to M1 and to begin SF. (For those of you who don't know, I plan to share more when I return home.)

It is so very difficult to process your emotions after visiting M1. That is why I am hesitant to share much right now and will wait until we are back home. I took so many pictures which I hope to eventually post. I have only been able to download five this evening but again hope to add more in time.

Jeff handing out some journals to the girls.

Handing out milk..... a treat for them!

Playing a game of UNO!! (They whooped me!)

On a personal level, we are all doing well. Life here in Uganda for many is hard. There are street kids everywhere you go wearing ripped and dirty clothes or no clothes at all. The pollution is something that is difficult to get used to and the traffic is just as busy and crazy as you read about! The power cuts are frequent and the internet very sketchy. And yet the people here are what make Uganda so beautiful. Yes the scenery is gorgeous and green and Lake Victoria is breath taking but the people here are truly what make Uganda the special place it is. They never stop smiling. They are the most friendly culture I have ever visited and I can now see why so many who come here, leave feeling that they will always have Uganda in their hearts!

To our gorgeous children ~ You are in our thoughts and prayers every day and we miss you so much. We hear you are having so much fun that you actually hope the days will not go too fast!! We are so thankful that you are all doing well. (Thank you again to the P and Z families!!!)

Amazima ~ Katie Davis (Updated with more pictures.)

2012-01-15T10:58:00.004-05:00

What an amazing day it was. I wish I could share all the pictures with you but I could only manage to download this one! The internet lives up to its reputation...... very slow! I will keep trying but the reality is that I may not be able to share all of our pictures until we return.

It took some time to find the location of the Amazima Pavilion but we heard the voices before we saw the faces! We arrived in time to play with the children before lunch began. I cannot describe how wonderful our time there was and I wish so much I could share the pictures because they speak volumes. The children are so precious and so in need of hugs and love. We were swamped with their little bodies pressing against us, touching our hands and hair. At one time I was swarmed by a group of boys and girls as they braided my hair into many tiny braids. Even the boys knew how to braid hair! Jeff immediately took out the football and got stuck in playing with the boys. They loved it and Jeff soon had a sweat on. (Might I add that we are actually in Uganda during the hottest season?!!)

Lunch time was so special. I have never seen a pot of rice and beans so large. I thought surely there is too much here but 497 children later (and I know because I was asked to count with a hand counter which I pressed each time they took a plate of food) most of it was gone! Jeff served the rice for every single child and he enjoyed every moment!

We played games, we sang songs and we generally loved on these sweet children. Their clothes were dirty with holes and zips that were broken. But they smiled and played and had a wonderful time. I have never seen almost 500 children so well behaved. They were obedient to all the instructions given to them. They lined up to wash their hands and wait for their food. They sat and waited for parting words just before they left. They lined up again to take their bag of rice/beans/soap and posho home with them. They seemed so thankful for the simple things in life! We felt so blessed to go and see what Katie, Brad and the Uganda staff are doing there. It was a blessing to meet Katie and see her loving on her children, (she is pictured above holding Patricia.)

There is so much more I could share but I want to post this before we lose connection again :)

Hopefully I'll be back again.

Uganda!!!

2012-01-13T18:35:00.002-05:00

After many hours of travel we are finally here in Uganda! It is 2.30 am and we are getting ready to go to bed but making some interesting connections with our Host here at the guesthouse. Turns out she went to Bible College in Austria with my sister! Also found out that we were at Bible College together in Twin Peaks, CA! Small world. The flights were so great and we both slept for several hours on both flights. (I have to insert here that since I have traveled with Jeff which has been almost two years, he has quite the system; eye patch, blow up head rest and earplugs. I laughed at him and made fun of all these things but seriously by the end of the first flight I was asking to use the extra pair he had!)

We stopped off in London for four hours. As we were coming into land and I saw the lights, I began to cry, overcome with emotion to finally go home. Once we changed terminals, we found our way to M and S and indulged in the best yoghurt I have had in almost two years and Costa Coffee!! Yes it was good to be back in London even if was only for a few hours.

And now...... we are here and it is very surreal. It was dark when we arrived but we felt those bumpy roads and caught a glimpse of Lake Victoria. Tomorrow we plan to visit Amazima! The guesthouse is nice where we are staying and we feel so very blessed to be here. Driving on the left side of the road feels quite normal for us both and there has been a huge British influence over the years! So many aspects feel very familiar.

Thank you so much for praying. We are so grateful for your encouraging words and love to our family. I hear our children are doing well. Hoping to connect with them all soon.

Isaac, Caleb, Eliana and Lydia....... we made it to Africa and it great to be here. We miss your smiles and hugs and love you all so much. Be a blessing to the families you are staying with and we will talk soon!

It's All Yours (We leave Today!!!)

2012-01-12T08:22:00.004-05:00

Many years ago, my husband and I met the Chapmans, the Hasenbalgs and our sweet friend Wendy in London. We had just moved back to the UK to work at the Bible College. We met them all at the airport and took them for a whirlwind tour of Windsor with lunch at a pub. I will never forget sitting across from Shaohannah in the pub and hearing her say to me in the most casual fashion, "I think you should adopt a baby from China". I replied that this was exactly what we were praying about doing and the Lord used her to confirm His will.

The Chapmans, Hasenbalgs and Wendy were on their way to Uganda for the first time. I really did not know anything at all about this country back then but the Lord sewed a seed in our hearts. It was after that trip that Steven Curtis Chapman wrote the song "It's All Yours" and this is why it is has such a special place in our hearts. We walked the streets of London with him that day and in just a couple of days, we shall be walking the streets of Uganda!

This evening we shall board a plane and fly 8 hours to London. It has been almost two years since I set foot on my beautiful land and I am so excited to just be able to walk around Heathrow airport and see things which are so familiar and hear accents that I love and know so well. We will have a lay over for about 4 hours. Then we shall board our second flight which takes about 9 hours to Entebbe, Uganda. It will late when we arrive there but we shall be wired I am sure and ready to see Uganda!!! Uganda is 8 hours ahead of the East coast and 3 hours ahead of the UK ( if you were wondering.)

I am so thankful for all the prayers and blessings that have been arriving in my inbox in the last few days!! We have had so many loved ones and even people we have never met who have shared that they have been praying and will continue to lift us up. That means more to us than anything! So the time has come to step into all that God has waiting for us as we walk the streets of Uganda! It truly is ALL YOURS!! I hope to post if we can :).

Welcoming Home A Family From Uganda

2012-01-11T23:26:00.005-05:00

I have been following this family since September when they traveled to Uganda to adopt their daughter Alethia. Their journey has had many challenges and ups and downs to say the least. In November they were denied Alethia's visa and Tasha had to return home shortly afterwards because she is pregnant. Josh, her husband remained in Uganda for another two weeks in the hopes that their daughter's visa would be granted. But it was not and he returned to the States also without their little girl. To watch them walk through this has been a testimony of God's hands upon their lives. Many others were moved to pray for this family and intercede on their behalf. Finally..... after many weeks of praying and waiting, news arrived that their visa was waiting at the embassy in Kampala!! Josh hopped on a plane last Friday and today he arrived in NC with Alethia in his arms!!!

I was so excited to take our children this lunchtime and welcome this little treasure home. It was just incredible to watch the sweet interaction between Tasha and Alethia as she turned and reached for her Mummy!! She had certainly not forgotten her!! We were so blessed to meet them and share in this special time. We also had the opportunity to meet another family who have recently adopted from Uganda.

Bags are packed! We managed to pack all our clothes in our carry on's and we will use two large cases for all the things we want to take for ministries and orphanages. I spent most of today going over the home school schedules for each child to do while we are away. My children are excited about their own adventures and I am happy about that! The two families who will be looking after our children are wonderful and both are just starting the process to adopt from China!!! And from AWAA!! How amazing is that?

Well I had better go to bed. So much for planning to have early nights this week :)!!!

Prayer Requests~

2012-01-09T23:21:00.003-05:00

The time is drawing near. I have not started packing yet...... I am a bit of last minute packer you see. But I have been doing the packing in my head so it is as good as done :) We have spent the last two days visiting with the two families who will be looking after our children and going over schedules and certain things they need to know about our treasures. Without a doubt, this is the most difficult part about going. Leaving them. There have already been tears from us all, (we are such an emotional family) but there is also a peace which can only come from God at this time.

This trip is becoming more real although I still cannot get my head around the fact on Friday we shall step foot onto that red dirt we have heard so much about. I may be walking around in a daze for the first few days as I attempt to take it all in!!! Plans are being made, a tentative schedule has been put together and prayers have been spoken over and over to Jesus, asking for His help and direction. We believe that He has gone before us and is even now preparing the way for us to walk in. I anticipate that things will be very hard at times. I imagine that we shall see things that we don't expect. But I know that God will be with us.

As we prepare, the biggest desire I have is for this trip is for it to be bathed in prayer. I would love for you to lift us up during the 8 days we are there. It is not long but it is long enough to experience the broken lives there and poverty. The spiritual attacks have begun already with sleepless nights (Lydia was screaming in the middle of the night that she had hurt her finger while sleeping.... how random is that?)

Please would you join us in praying for;

~ Safety and protection for us as we travel and leave the children.

~ For our children to have a wonderful time with the families they are staying with. That they will be a blessing and be blessed.

~ For God to guide us to the people He wants us to meet. To the places He wants us to go.

~ To embrace the hard situations we will find ourselves in.

~ To have wisdom from above and discernment.

~ To LOVE and LOVE some more. And when we feel tired and weary, that we would allow Him to LOVE through us even more.

~ For divine appointments that we could never have orchestrated ourselves.

~ That there would be no reactions to the malaria medicine we will be taking and we will remain healthy.

~ For our children to also be healthy.

~ For our Lord to be glorified!!

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny HIMSELF and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?..."

Step By Step

2012-01-07T19:37:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I read the following;

'God does not open paths for us before we come to them or provide help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of the way before we reach them. Yet when we are at our point of need, God's hand is outstretched. Many people forget this truth and continually worry about difficulties they envision in the future. They expect God to open and clear many miles of road before them, but He promises to do it step by step, only as their need arises. "

(Stream in the Desert ~ update edition)

As we embark on a path that we have never traveled before, there are many unknowns. It is very exciting to step forward into whatever God is calling us to but also very daunting. I have a zillion questions running through my mind one minute and the next moment I am as cool as a cucumber :) What will we think about Uganda, the culture and its beautiful people? How is my heart going to bear all the despair we shall see? How will we be able to help when there is so much need? What changes will take place in our hearts? And do Ugandans like Brits :)?

I realise that this trip is not about us. It is not about us going to learn more about a country we already love. It is about going to discover all the beautiful ways that God is there present among the people in Uganda. How He is caring and providing and making the needs known. How He is teaching His people His word and healing them from sin and sickness. More than anything else, I am excited to see God at work in Uganda and to learn from Him. There is so much He wants to teach us.

Jeff has been in California since Wednesday. He actually left at 5.00 am after planting a kiss on cheek as I was half asleep. It was the same day our friends left for England which made the ordeal of returning home even more depressing. No friends and no Dad. But Jesus! I love that we are never alone even when everyone leaves. I have been trying to encourage my children to cling to Jesus as their comforter in this time. It has been precious to watch them read their Bibles more for comfort.

My husband has been at a Missions conference hosted by Calvary Chapel and will be back this evening. He has had such a profitable time there meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones. I love the way God always sets divine appointments for us. While Jeff was there, he saw a couple who had been at Bible college with him. It was the year before I arrived so I never met them. He has not seen them for 16 years. It turns out that they planted the Calvary Chapel there in Kampala, Uganda many years ago but there is now another Pastor. Jeff was able to spend some time listening to the stories and advice for our upcoming trip. The husband shared how one time after they had returned to the US after living in Uganda for two years, his wife began screaming for him to come. She was in the bathroom and literally had a worm coming out of her nose. Now I personally think I would have passed out, never to have lived again! I cannot imagine! I have read Katie Davis' book about her having to de-worm the children and their diapers being filled with worms! But out of someone's nose? Oh my heart goes out to her!

We have decided not to eat any meat while we are there, no really! I don't think we shall be taking any chances. But the truth is this will not be too difficult for us because we eat almost all vegetarian meals during the week. We usually only have meat and chicken once a week and the rest is vegetarian. I already love chapatis which are popular in England and beans and rice just happen to one of my favourite dishes!!! Since September we have been having Missionary Monday and eating beans and rice for dinner every Monday. I love it and the rest of the family do too although I have been switching up the rice..... brown to white to brown, LOL and also the beans. But I wanted to go as plain as can be to get the real flavour for what it is like for those in Uganda. We have these wonderful missionary cards to pray for children around the world, not just Africa. I plan to have rice and beans for a whole week sometime after we arrive back from Uganda. (I think I may wait awhile though if this is all I have had during my week there!)

Whatever difficulties may arise during our time in Uganda, we can be sure of one thing. God has gone before us. He has already opened many doors for us to travel there and there has been some fierce opposition which we have not felt for a long time. We are looking forward to taking the first step and trusting God that He will show us the next one.

The pictures below capture more sweet memories of our time with our friends. We are still missing them dearly but were able to skype with them briefly this afternoon.

Goodbye

2012-01-05T15:59:00.002-05:00

It was very sad yesterday.

We waved goodbye to our friends at the airport and then sobbed all the way home.

We had the most wonderful time with the Greens.

We had hoped that their flights were cancelled and they would have to stay with us for another week, (at least.)

We returned to our house which now felt much too quiet and much too empty. The boys asked if they could sleep together in the same room.

Lydia asked if she could sleep in Eliana's room. The loneliness was overwhelming for them. And I understand. I remember that feeling as a child when I would spend time with loved ones and then miss them so much. But missing loved ones does not stop when we grow up. It seems just as deep and painful but we learn how to handle it better. We fix our eyes on Heaven and what it will be like when we are all together.

I have been thinking a lot about how the disciples must have felt when they said goodbye to Jesus and he returned to Heaven. The comforter must have brought so much relief to their broken hearts during that initial time. The memories would have reminded them of their mission and purpose and the words of Jesus gave them comfort.

We were not meant for separation. We are one body and it hurts so much when we are apart from each other. I really believe that the most beautiful aspect of Heaven will be......

Oneness.

So today the memories are flooding our minds of our time together with our friends. We have pictures and even a movie that they all made together.

(If I could figure out how to get it on here, I would! Sean and Debbie are amazing actors!)

We have encouragement in our hearts from their words and the hope that one day we shall see each other again.

And we have skype, which we shall be using often.

Thank you dear friends for blessing our family so deeply, so generously and so graciously.

We seriously had the best time ever!

Here are many memories......

A walk in Chapel Hill.

Friends forever!!!

It is one week today until we leave for Uganda. Time is approaching quickly and I am now in that 'get myself organised' mode. I have much to do this week in preparation for our trip and leaving the children with friends. Oh my! We are so excited to travel there and see all that we have heard and read about for ourselves!!!

Danielle's Story ~ Must Watch Video

2012-01-02T09:30:00.003-05:00

This is Danielle's story.

We saw her at Show Hope in November.

It was the most moving story we heard during that weekend.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Sean!

2012-01-01T19:49:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

And Happy Birthday to Sean!

What a blessing to spend his special day with him.

After church we went to CheeseCake Fa*ctory for lunch.

Waiting outside until our table was ready.

Dinner is served!! Oh my Debbie, are you going to eat all that?!!!

A surprise birthday cheesecake.

And the staff sang Happy Birthday to Sean!

There is nothing more wonderful than cheesecake!!

It was a wonderful day!

Yesterday was the last day of 2011 which for us was a year of many blessings.

When I look back over this year, I am amazed by all that God clearly revealed to us.

January ~ Applied with America World to adopt!

February ~ A sweet visit from my Mum and some much needed fellowship.

March ~ Sensing the Lord moving us away from New Jersey.

April ~ Visited North Carolina and clearly saw the Lord open the door for us to move there.

May ~ Waited on the Lord for His provision for us to buy a home.

June ~ Moved to NC!

July ~ Officially began paper chasing.

August ~ A wonderful time of Summer at the pool.

September ~ Began Home School!

October ~ Began Home Study!

November ~ A Blessed month of Thanksgiving. Amazing time in Tennessee at Show Hope. The Lord opens the door for us to travel to Uganda in January 2012.

December ~ Home Study Finished!!!!

It has been such a fantastic year. We are so thankful to God for bringing us here to NC. We have seen the Lord provide sweet friends here and neighbours. We have found ourselves in a wonderful church and community group with other families we really love! Yes we are blessed!

Our children are maturing and growing together in a beautiful way. We see such a difference in our children since we moved here. We have so much more time to spend with them now that we are home schooling. I also believe that since Jeff stepped back from Pastoring a church, we also have more time to pour fully into our children.

It is a season of rest and restoration and a good season indeed.

2012 lies ahead like a blank sheet of paper for us all.

I wonder what God has planned for each of us.

It is always exciting to turn the corner expectantly, but it can be a little fearful too for some.

No matter what we shall endure or experience, God will be with us and in Him we shall have peace. We will have tribulations and troubles, but God will give us His peace in the midst of difficulties.

He will never ever leave.

Not ever!

Laughter is Good

2011-12-30T22:43:00.004-05:00

The past few days have been filled with so much laughter, I thought my sides would split! My friend Debbie is one of the most joyful people I know. She loves the Lord so much and whenever I am with her, I am so blessed! Her husband Sean came to know the Lord when we were serving in the UK. It is an incredible testimony which they love to share. Beauty from ashes. Jeff and I are in awe of what the Lord has done in both their lives, especially during the last three years!

Their children have truly been having a wonderful time. We have watched the boys just pick up where they left off and the girls, Eliana and Hattie, have giggled their way through every meal! Lydia has been playing really well with Evie, except for a few 'issues' along the way, mostly on Lydia's part who is still learning to share.

And Abigail, well what can you really say about this cherub baby? I am dying to get my hands on her chubby cuteness and give her the biggest squeeze but she keeps running away with such a knowing smile on her face.

I have so, so many pictures to share!! I will have to begin with these tonight and add some more tomorrow. I want to capture every single moment we share together in the hopes that we shall never forget this glorious time we are so thankful to have!

So we introduced Tar*get to our friends!

(Not sure that was a good thing :) )

More food at Sweet Tomat*o

Giggles galore!!

Bedtime reading.

An afternoon at the park.

Debbie adores Lydia!

One of the Most Wonderful Christmas's Ever!

2011-12-28T08:29:00.002-05:00

It truly was a blessed day! So peaceful. No hurrying off somewhere, no time schedule to keep. Just the way we like it. Sitting at His feet and celebrating His day! We always start the day with our traditional search for Baby Jesus. Once he is found hiding someplace in the house, we place Him back in the manger and can then begin our Christmas. Even the big children love to do this still and it helps them all to keep the right perspective.

Jeff then shares from God's word and we have a sweet time praying before we begin to open up gifts from each other. Our children have a large stocking which they place at the end of their beds. This is filled with three gifts, (although in the past there have been several occasions when they received two and gave up one of their big gifts to orphans.) This year they had less small stocking stuffer gifts because they each chose a gift to send to an orphanage in Uganda. We do not encourage them to believe that it was Santa who gave them their presents but we always tell them the gifts are from Jesus ultimately but Mum and Dad bought them. There is still so much excitement in waking up and finding the stockings filled on the end of the bed!

This was the big surprise for Jeff. The boys have been working for the past couple of months on a project at Stacy's home. Corn Hole boards.

Viking style!

Yes they made the boards (with help from Stacy who is incredible at this kind of thing, me~not so good), they cut and sanded and painted and attached the legs.

This was Jeff's surprised face as he entered the room!

So proud of his boys!!

Usually they open the gifts in their stockings first and then family members. But this year we wanted them to open the gifts from their Grandparents first because we had a little something in their stockings which would have ruined the surprise.

Another surprise!

Bean bags also from Grandma and Grandpa!!

Thank you for blessing us so much!!!

Now it was time to open their stockings.

A very excited Lydia Hope!

And a thrilled Eliana Faith!!

The boys were grateful for watches.

Eliana's beautiful doll which we bought from Leslie to help her bring Sallie home!!!

Gifts from Uncle Len, Aunty Hannah and their cousins, (who are in the UK for Christmas this year!!) Thank you!

Also, thank you to Uncle Mike and Aunt Kim and the cousins for their gifts too. They loved everything! (sorry no pictures.)

Then later after brunch, it was time to make the decorations for Jesus' Birthday Cake.

Lydia ~ Baby Jesus in the manger

Eliana ~ Sheep

Caleb ~ Donkey

Isaac ~ Cow

Our traditional Christmas cake.

Christmas Dinner!

We still have room for two more at our table, ;)

My yummy Christmas Pudding!!

We are so thankful for all that God has blessed us with this year.

Merry Christmas!!!

Our Dear Friends Are Here!!!

2011-12-26T21:34:00.003-05:00

They are here!!!

Sean and his beautiful Bride, Debbie arrived in North Carolina this afternoon with their four children, Alfie, Hattie, Evelyn and Abigail.

All the way from England!

It has been almost two years since we saw them.

Everyone has grown so much and it was lovely to hear those English accents again.

My children have really lost their accents, :(

Waiting at the airport......

And then those doors popped open and out walked........

I just love Evie's excited face below!

I can honestly say that Sean and Jeff have become such great friends over the years.

The drive home was great! This is their first time in the US and on the 'wrong' side of the road, (oops sorry I meant 'right' side of the road, LOL)

Debbie tried getting into the drivers side when we left the airport!

It is so much fun seeing the differences through their eyes. I have become so used to living here that I do not even notice anymore!

After dinner, it was time to share gifts with each other. Everyone was so excited.

We had asked Sean if he would get our boys Chelsea football tops and bring them over. (This was quite a sacrifice for him because he is a Liverpool fan and Chelsea have always been their rivals. Sean even tried the top on for Isaac in the shop just to make sure it would fit him!!)

Thank you Sean! The boys love them and I think Caleb went to bed in his!!

Eliana received roller boots and her and Hattie plan to skate tomorrow. (Hattie brought hers also!)

Lydia received an adorable little cupcake stand.

Caleb's cool gift.... I am looking forward to seeing this puzzle built.

Isaac received a football game which he really wanted!

My children worked hard painting gifts this year for friends and family. This was a painting that Caleb made for Alfie who loves tractors.

This was Isaac's gift to Sean which he painted.

(Did I mention that Sean likes Liverpool?)

This was Eliana's gift to Hattie which she painted.

(I really am so proud of what they all accomplished!)

Lydia also painted a little box for Evie and Abigail but I forgot to take pictures of those.

Little Abigail who is 18 months and I am dying to give her a cuddle. This is the first time we have met her.

Lovely girls!

We have planned a very fun and action packed time with them. Right now, they are all sleeping. They did really well to stay up until 9.00, (which was really 2.00 am for them!)

What a blessing to have them here with us and it is very surreal seeing them here in our home. It always amazes me how we can just pick right up where we left off and feel as though we have always been together!

I have a feeling that is what Heaven will be like!

A Christmas Love Letter

2011-12-25T10:08:00.003-05:00

This was in my inbox this morning. It made me cry. I am sure it will touch the hearts of many of you dear Mother's.)

A Christmas Love Letter

December 25, 2011

I see you sitting there tired, worn out, and empty. Another year of homeschooling has used you up. You feel helpless like a baby. That's OK. I know all about being a baby. I was born one for you many years ago. I know the ache you feel to be held and loved, and that is why I came. I knew you would be sitting there in the future, praying and asking me to hold you, and I am, dear one. Let me give you a special Christmas gift of love as I breathe new life into the center of your soul.

Do you know that I think of you every moment of every day? I watch you patiently homeschool the children I gave you, and I know how badly you feel when you fail and lose your temper. I forgive you, my child, just as you forgive your children when they make a mistake. "It's OK. We'll try again," you say to them, and I'm telling you the same thing. I'm so proud of you and how you've followed me when I asked you to teach your children about me at home. Your sacrifice says that you love me. I know all about that, too. I left everything that was mine when I came from heaven. I know how you feel when the Father asks so much of you.

Look at me, my child. You may feel beat up, but do you know that you are still beautiful? I see that smile. Yes, you're still as beautiful as the day I created you. I love who you are, and I'm whispering your name. Can you hear me? Remember, my child, this is not your home. You really belong here with me in heaven, but I want you where you are now to love this family I gave you. Don't give up. I want you to trust me. I won't let you down. Every promise I've made is true, and someday, I'm coming back for you. For now, rest in my love, and tonight and even tomorrow when you wake up, I'll be here watching over you. I love you. Merry Christmas.

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:14-15a).

Jesus, thank You for the best Christmas gift I could ever receive, Your forgiveness and love. My heart sings with praise to You for understanding my every need. I love You, Jesus, and offer You my life again to use however You choose. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Have a beautiful day with His presence.

T'was The Night Before Christmas

2011-12-25T00:24:00.002-05:00

It is Christmas Eve. Everyone is sleeping.

I love the stillness in the house

and nothing is stirring,

not even a mouse!

The day has finally stilled and I am thankful for a few moments to reflect upon our Creator.

I am always in awe of this season.

I really do not even have the right words to share.

I am humbled by God's Gracious Gift to us.

Jesus, whom He freely gave.

He didn't have to, but He did....... because of love.

What can I give this Christmas.... because of His love?

Myself.

That is all He requires. My heart.

And I really want to give all that I have, all that I am.

Last night we went carol singing to an area where retired people live. We went with our community group from Church. We took several children and many bags of the cookies we made yesterday.

We knocked on doors and sang about the wondrous Gift who dwells in our midst, yet so many do not see Him.

Faces at the doorway beamed with grateful hearts.

Cookies and fudge were brought out for us!

The children sang their little hearts out and entertained every person we met.

Yet there was one door we knocked at. Her face did not beam and her voice cracked as she shared that she had just brought her husband home from the hospital.

He had a stroke.

Silence fell upon us. How fragile life is.

We prayed for them and hope that their day tomorrow is filled with Christ's love and peace.

Peace is not an absence from trouble.

It is a gift that comes from Him in the midst of trials.

I know that this time of year is not joyous for all.

There are many hurting and grieving tonight.

Those who know Jesus, will have a peace that passes all knowledge in the midst of their pain.

But there will be those who do not.

Remembering those we all know who have lost but never found.

I hope that many will surrender themselves to Christ.

(Lydia loves to break everything into teeny tiny pieces.)

(I just love her little slipper feet, surrounded by flour and pastry crumbs.)

(Shaping the candy cane cookies.)

(Packed and ready to go!)

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas Day tomorrow with your precious loved ones!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Gingerbread Recipes!!

2011-12-24T08:49:00.002-05:00

I love anything with ginger in it. Cakes, biscuits and curries...... so yummy!

Fortunately my children have acquired the taste also so I am not the only one eating these sweets especially at Christmas!

Here are two of my favourite recipes I want to share. This 'Old Fashioned Gingerbread' is simply the most moist cake ever! I actually add crystalised ginger because I love the intense taste so much.

Old Fashioned Gingerbread

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup molasses

1 egg

1 cup boiling water

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup crystalised ginger

Mix together butter, molasses, egg and water.

Mix together flour, sugar, soda, salt and spices and crystalised ginger.

Add dry ingredients to wet and mix well.

Pour into 9x9 baking dish and bake for 45 mins.

Do not overbake.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

What Christmas is complete without gingerbread men? This year we decided to make them together and instead of just decorate with currants for the eyes and buttons, I made royal icing and gave them full reign to design their own little men.

It is always fun to see what part of the body everyone bites first.

Head, foot or hand?

I always save the head until last...... just to give the little guy more time to breathe!!!!

Gingerbread Men

1 stick butter

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups all purpose flour

3 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp baking soda

Beat butter and sugar. Add egg and molasses.

Fold in four, spices and soda.

Roll into a ball and cover with cling film. (plastic wrap).

Chill in fridge for an hour.

Roll out and cut out gingerbread men.

Icing

1 egg white

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1-2 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)

(I find that that the American powdered sugar requires more like two cups. If using British icing sugar, it may not need more than one.)

Food colouring

Whisk egg white until foamy. Add the lemon juice and sugar until glossy.

Add food colouring.

Decorate!!!