Still Here

(My Latest Glamour Shot)

I didn't realize it's been almost 2 weeks since I have posted anything up here. Sorry to all 3 of you who actually read this.

As I mentioned in my last post, we are moving on with life. We have heard about some potential new children that may be coming into the children's home in Liberia. But until a situation comes up that seems like it may be real, we'll just keep our mouths shut and continue praying for God's will.

We are still looking for a buyer for our house. It's been on the market for 2 1/2 weeks and we've had plenty of showings, but no offers yet. We know the right family will come in eventually, it's just a matter of being patient. We do have an agreement on a new house, so we hope a buyer comes in for our current house soon. The new house is pretty cool. It's a little larger than the house we have now, but the great thing about it is the huge yard for all the kids to play in. It also has a very cool barn that is completely finished, heated/ac, electricity, water, cable. It's going to be fun to have a big play area for all of us. I think Wife and I are more excited about that area than the kids are!!

Oh and I have gotten a new job at work. I'm moving from being a developer of one software, to total owner of another application in a whole new group. It's an awesome opportunity that I have been praying for and have talked to the bosses at work about in the past. I'll be moving from a worker bee position to a role that will get me to that next level. More responsibility and more work, but it's another step in the process of growing in a career. I'm really excited. My bosses thought enough of me to hand me this opportunity and responsibility...Hope I don't mess it up :).

But now lets get serious...down to about a week until Opening Day. Go ahead, get all giddy with excitement, I did. Red Sox versus Royals on Monday April 2nd and 4:10 (EST) be sure to set your Tivos!! :) In a few days I'll be writing up my thoughts about going to Fenway park and seeing the Sox play....goose bumps!

Thanks to everyone who sent along well wishes after the adoption fell through. Not really sure who is reading this or who takes an interest, but I really appreciate the family we have back home who keeps up with us. I also thank God for the family He has surrounded us with down here in Mayberry. Without naming names, to my new Brothers and Sister I love you and thank you all for everything. Life this far away from family and friends is so hard, but it's been made so much easier having you all in our lives.

God is Good!

Life Goes On

Well we are moving on with life! Not adopting the 3 kiddos from Liberia still stings and we are still dealing with the feelings involved as a family. But, it's not holding us back. Someday we will look back and see how God used this time to further His kingdom, so for now we just rest in the fact that He is sovereign and in control. I wish it were easy to just remove my human feelings from it all, because I'm still hurt and confused and sad and mad.

I do wonder if those 3 kids going back to their parents is an answered prayer for them. I know I get so hung up on why God is doing this or that to me or my family, when I need to remember it's not all about me and my prayers. God hasn't said to us, "No more kids for you"...He's just said, "Not these 3 kids". Life is such an amazing journey.

So for now we are still attempting to buy a new house and sell our current house. If that all falls though, there will be another "what the trash" post :). We are still gearing up for the next adoption...it'll happen. I've never "known for sure" or "had that feeling" when it comes to kids and adoption, Wife has always had those feelings. I just know God has made me 100% sure we will adopt again. Maybe it won't be 3 more, may not be as soon as we would have hoped for and it may or may not be a baby. Who knows other than God!

Other News:
Please pray for my sister in law, Maureen and her family. She just lost her Mom to cancer and now is going in to have some lumps removed and tested.


And Lastly I ask that while you are praying, to keep all the kids of the world in your prayers. Adoption has really opened my eyes and heart to the fact that so many children are in need and alone.

God is Good my friends....He is Good.

Failed Adoption

Well I'm just going to be short and to the point about this. Our attempts to adopt Augustus, Sando and Musu has failed. Their parents came back, took them from the orphanage and got the courts to reunite them. We are absolutely floored and devastated. You get yourself pumped up, geared up and prepared to change your entire life. Then the rug is pulled right out from underneath you. Words can't even express.

The kids were crushed and I really don't know where we go from here. That is the part I have never handled well, seeing my children and wife cry. Nothing pisses me off more and I feel so helpless this time. I think there is just a whole range of emotions going on for us right now and we will deal with them as a family.

What we do know (or at least think we know) is God brought us this far and we won't quit. But just because we won't quit, doesn't mean adoption is in His plans for us. For now we will regroup as a family and wait to see what situations become available.

God is (still) Good

We Just Don't Sit Still

So adoption isn't big enough for us...neither is a new (large) vehicle...and having new job responsibilities isn't quite enough...now we are looking at houses. One thing that can't be said for us...we are idle. Not sure it's healthy or not...but it works for us :)

Found the most awesome house ever...right out of New England. We put an offer in and waited for a week for the owner get pricing on a new roof. (our contingency was it needed a new roof, not the old wood shingle roof it has). He took a week to find any estimates at all, and in the mean time got a better offer than ours. Can't say I blame him for taking the other offer: More money, Earlier closing and No contingencies. Felt like a kick in the stomach. I pouted and acted like a 3 year old for about 1/2 a day or so.

But we pulled up our big boy and big girl pants...accepted our God given time out...wiped our alligator tears and blew our nose...and are praying over the next few houses we are going to see. We don't really want to move so much, we love our house and pool. But, if we can find that perfect house with a yard for the kids to play in (all 7 of them)...then that will be a little more comfortable.

What I love about my new life in Christ though...is as I grow more in my walk with Him...things like losing a house to a higher bid, isn't as important as it once would have been. Like I said I pouted and got upset, but it went away pretty quickly when I had my quiet time with Him. He has full control of everything else in our lives and He has our better interest in mind. I think it's OK to be upset about silly things as long as it doesn't consume your life. (That's not backed by anything biblical, just my opinion..which could be totally wrong...I like to try and justify myself!)

So if moving is what He wants from us...we'll be moving.

The adoption stuff is still going without too many issues...Thank You Jesus! We are at the mercy now of the Liberian and US governments. For an adoption timeline of events, check out Emily's blog.

Red Sox opening day is right around the corner. In a couple of weeks, I'll be able to see them play in person for the first time in 2 years. I'll be in Dallas to see them play the Rangers...Like a little boy I'm excited out of my skin. Seriously, after God and my beautiful wife and kids...I absolutely LOVE the Red Sox. They were/are always there, year in and year out. They were my refuge when I had nothing else in life growing up. (Does that sound absolutely pathetic after I read it back? Actually yes it did...but it's how I really feel, so oh well!)

As Always: God Is Good!!!

Modern Day Miracles

So...You wanna argue with me that miracles don't happen anymore these days? I dare you. I just wrote up a whole testimony about how God has worked in my life, which is a miracle in itself. People get so hung up on the questions like "Where is our flood?", or "Where are these miraculous healings?".

To date, Wife and I have been blessed with our own modern day miracle. When we agreed to go through and adopt the 3 children in Liberia, we had no idea how we would do it. Where would the money and space and sanity come from? Things have been falling into place at an alarming rate. A rate by human standards that would be considered unbelievable. But God is doing His thing, performing a miracle right before our very eyes. I am humbled by the donations by people who just want to help, but have no idea how powerfully God is using them. It's beyond the monetary donations, it's all about God reaffirming in us that He and only He is in control. It's amazing. God says "Walk in faith, that I will provide", and by golly gosh...He provides.

People are so caught up in looking for miracles, that they happen every day, unnoticed. People want huge Hollywood special effects in the miracles God provides. They want God to give them a good show. It'd be great too if God could have a drive thru window for his miracles. "Hi yea...I'd like one supernatural healing, with a large diet coke please. Oh and hurry up, I've been waiting for about 15 seconds already." Wow me God...amaze me Lord...Bless me Father...Then I'll think about living for you

I have been looking, but I haven't found anywhere in the bible that describes God as being the dealer at the roulette wheel. I don't see where God is described as the guy on the Wall Street Trading floor, slapping his head and making all sorts of hand signs to make the perfect deal with you. Still haven't found where He teaches us to bring our "A" game to the negotiation table.

What I do know is God teaches that "God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19). I think I read once something about bringing it all to God in prayer: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)

This says it best: Galatians 3:5 - Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

God is Good!