World According to Randall

Home....

2008-02-04T11:01:00.000-06:00

Finally home...I was in Phoenix last week for training. Didn't want to post anything about that until after I got home. But I'm back now and man, being in Phoenix the week leading up to the Super Bowl, which is where it was being played, was pretty cool. I didn't see too much stuff related to the game, but I did go to the NFL Experience. The NFL Experience is an interactive setup at the location of the Super Bowl for fans to come out and check out all things football. They had passing, running, kicking and tackling area where people could attempt each activity. Mostly kids and teens doing these things, and had I had any of my children with me, then I would have too.

I did get myself on TV for a few minutes. I was that annoying Jack Hole on his cell phone, behind the guys doing a live shot for the NFL Network. I was waving a poster and jumping up and down, waving and making faces. I was everything I hate when I see people doing that on TV. BUT...now I can appreciate it a little more, because maybe they have 8 other people at home laughing and excited to see them on TV like I had. Doubt it...those people are usually drunk. :)

I spent most of my time though, in the pro shop and vendor shop. The pro shop was cool...and I got a Patriots Jersey...#76 - for those of you without an official Patriot roster sheet. Then I sinned a little and coveted all the memorabilia that was on display in the vendor shop. Thousands of autographed footballs and baseballs, pictures, jerseys. My favorite thing there, and something I would absolutely cherish in my house, was the above picture. Only 200 of those bad boys were painted. It was live in person at one guys booth, along with a bunch of other oil paintings. The thing is probably 4 or 5 feet high and 3 or 4 feet wide. Simply gorgeous.

Other notes: I have no idea how my beautiful wife does it. While I was gone, she had 7 coughing, sneezing children 2 or which had a nice case of pink eye. Bad enough to deal with on her own, but to make it worse, she also had laringytis, a cough and then caught pink eye as well. I'd have quit. I'd have been so angry and annoyed, I'd have just quit. What an amazing woman.

Watched the Super Bowl last night...sweet depression. The Patriots had their chance at a perfect 19-0 season. they were the better team all season, jsut not on the most omportant night of the season. As awesome as it is to watch your favorite team win, its equally sucky watching them lose. Make it even more tough, yet a little cute, this year was my oldest son. He's finally at an age where he feel passion for something and his thing is football. We were excited and ready all weekend. When the Giants scored their last touchdown with less than a minute to go...he just cried and cried. It was pretty pathetic, but I was so proud of him :). These are the times a real fan is born. Thankfully he woke up this morning and wasn't too upset and got himself to school. Now if only tonight when I'm supposed to be sleeping, I could NOT think about how they should have won, like I did all night last night.

Lastly...I have removed all references to who my family is and where we live. Too many stories of weirdo's out there and really, this blog is just for fun and to keep family updated. I'll go ahead and use fictitious names per person as each story needs it. Those who know us, obviously you'll know who and what I'm talking about...those who don't, well hopefully the stories will be written well enough and funny enough to make it worth your time.

Good Times....Good Times....

2008-01-18T12:10:00.000-06:00

Official Weigh-In Day: 213. Down a pound...could be better but I'm not disappointed.

This has been one crazy week. 6 out of the 7 kids have some sort of sickness. Uno has stayed home from school with a fever and sore throat. Cinco has lots of nose congestion (polite way of saying, he has a ton of snots). Quatro and Seis...ditto. Tres has this cough that sounds like she is trying to bust through a brick wall, using sheer cough force. And then there is Siete...mister I don't want to (more like he can't) sleep for more than 30-60 minutes at a time at night. He's congested in his nose, which gets in his chest, which causes him to cough, which wakes him up. He's also running a fever and I think he also has caught a nice case of whine-engitous. That's the medical term for, I don't want anyone to do anything accept serve me or I'll whine...but not to close or I'll whine. He has that something serious. He also only wants Wife at night, which normally a person would say "hey...better her than me...I'm going to back to sleep". Unfortunately, I end up staying up too, cuz I just want to help her out and feel guilty in bed while she stays up all night.

So, any help here would be great. How do you know when enough is enough with situations that arise in life. I can't get too specific, as people from all parts of my life read this. But as I've mentioned before, things at work were pretty frustrating and that situation has been fixed. That being said, there is still some lingering frustration and pride issues going on. I've been praying and asking for prayers, but I still am pretty full of pride I guess, because I can't shake that "I've been wronged" feeling.

On that same note, I've started to meet once a week with 2 close friends of mine, Chuck and Ryan. We are meeting once a week and hopefully keeping each other accountable for certain things that we feel are issues in our lives. We've met twice so far and its great to get together and talk. Ryan is younger than me and Chuck is older. It's amazing how you think your problems are all your own, but you hear people in different stages of their lives struggling with similar issues. God's so good to me to have put these guys in my life.

All for now.
God is Good!

The Wickinator...

2008-01-14T15:35:00.000-06:00

So I need to thank Mr. Petree for his great idea for a white elephant gift. We had a Christmas White Elephant exchange here at work the week before Christmas. Per John's story of his gift, I stole it like it was my own. I gave an 8x11 framed and autographed photo of...well of me! In the words of Cousin Eddy...That there is the gift that keeps on giving....all year long. It got lots of laughs, which I hope is a testament to the funny pose in the picture and not because I'm just a funny looking guy. The picture has been dubbed the "Wick-in-ator". It's been put on a few peoples desks...brought to very important meetings, you know, for inspiration...I think it's even been on the Presidents desk at one point. (I did make some of that up for comedic value...but not all of it)

Oh and at the end of the White Elephant exchange, I let the poor soul who "won" this piece of art know, there was a Chili's gift card taped to the back of the picture! Thanks again John!!

So Good Times....work let me swap out my training to a different week, so I'll be home to see The Oldest Boy's school program. Now I need to remember to click record on the video camera. Last year we all went to his program, I held the cam corder up for the whole 30 minute deal, only didn't realize when you click the still photo option on the camera, while video taping, it stops recording the video to take the still shot, but doesn't go back to recording. I sat there video taping nothing for almost the entire 30 minutes. *BE thankful kids...Doofusness runs in our veins...yep even if you are adopted!

God is Good!

Not so bad...

2008-01-13T16:33:00.000-06:00

There is really no reason for this picture...I just love Napoleon Dynamite!!

So I thought this house was going to be crazy and hectic with all the girls at Uno's birthday party...but as usual I was wrong. They were all so quiet...almost awkwardly quiet. They all had fun...I think. Once the older kids and Wife left for the movies, I was able to feed the T.o.T.s and Siete and get them off to bed in time to watch the Patriots game :)...(Patriots and Chargers next week...for the right to go to the Super Bowl...Pats are 17-0 this year!)

I'm thinking I should have taken that time with them to play and have some great daddy/kids bonding time...but it's the playoffs...and I played with them this weekend...so stop judging me.

From the "How Do These Things Always Happen Department": I got a new position at work...finally doing something I want to do (Thank You Lord for that answered prayer). For my new job I need to go to training, which last week I scheduled to go in the next few weeks. Found out yesterday that Dos has a school program the week I'll be away. Dos promptly got all teary and upset when I told him. I'd understand it if I missed somethings because I traveled every other week or multiple times a month. But it seems like if I travel 3 or 4 times a year, I'm missing something for someone at least 2 of those times. So now I'll attempt to reschedule the training. I'm guessing with more kids and the older they get, I'm bound to miss somethings from time to time...just sucks having to tell them I can't be there.

Random Web Site:

Found this really addictive and fun world knowledge game...my first score was 113.

http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq?de68=f428

God is Good!

Official Weigh In

2008-01-11T14:28:00.001-06:00

Fridays will be my official weigh in day. This morning I am at 214, down 4 pounds from when I started last week. Not bad...mostly water weight. And FYI: This is why I want to lose weight...I don't want to be thrust into civil duty like this lady!!

Slow day here today, not too much going on. Tomorrow should be interesting. Uno is having her birthday party with friends, which means we will have a bunch of chatty girls in the house...oh pass the aspirin now! Not only will the older kids be loud and talking and being in the "zone"...we'll have 3 pre-schoolers acting as if they are 10 or 11 years old as well. Should be interesting.

Found a couple of really good websites recently and one really off the wall news story:

Woot.com - Cool site that has 1 great deal a day on random things.

GiveAwayoftheDay - Site that offers a free, licensed software each day

Dove.org - Breaks down all movies, lets you know what movies are really family friendly.

Lastly...did you see this story. It's a cheesy bad movie come to life...creepy yet kind of funny: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22590332/

God is Good!

1191 Words from Me to You

2008-01-10T16:12:00.000-06:00

We here at WorldofRandall have come to an agreement with the Writers Guild so our almost 2 month layoff is officially over. No scabs were used in writing any of the material posted below. No writers were injured during the making of this post. I am Randy and I approve this ad. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. Only you can stop forest fires. ....

Whoa sorry about that...got off on a tangent there...as usual. Back to your (un) regularly scheduled post.

Catchup time....

- Christmas was one big chaotic mess of fun. We tried so hard to keep things in order, but our attempts were quickly abandoned and paper, tape and bows were flying off in every direction. The new kid's first Christmas seemed to be a hit. So much so that Cinco asked for days after, if Santa was coming again tonight :)

- We spent New Years Eve together at home, eating lots of snack foods (ie: unhealthy but stinking delicious) and we played lots of games. Lots of ping pong, Wii games and board games were played. Lots of Daddy kicking everyones butt happened as well! (but I'm not competitive or anything...)

- Just had 2 birthdays in the house: Tres turned 7 and Uno turned *gulp...10

- An Ode to Tres - How amazing it is to have been in my life for just under 4 months and how much I love that little girl. She is soft spoken, yet loud. Loves her dolls and babies as well as tackling me during climb the father and giggles at toots. I love her sense of humor and her billy-goat like laugh. She's definitely added a new element of funniness to our house. I can't even imagine picking up and moving across the world and having to learn a whole new culture, way of interacting with people, foods, and having more stuff than I ever could imagine. Yet this little 7 year old princess has done it nearly flawlessly. I'm amazed at how well she has adapted and accepted us as her family. Another testament to God knowing exactly what he's doing...cuz we don't ever question that...right? It's going to be so fun watching her grow up and become as she says "a working woman". I hope someday she will realize that she didn't come to live with us strictly to give her a hopeful better life, but that she is a blessing to each one of us.

- An Ode to Uno - Sweet cinnamon gravy, she's 10 years old. I look at my oldest daughter and I can't help but feel so stinking proud and happy. I'm scared to death of what the next 10 years will bring, but I'm confident in who she is and that all my fears will be just that: my own fears. She is so solid in her relationship with God. I wouldn't be living my life for Jesus had she not been everything God created her to be. It's hard for me to say what I want to say about my "bean", without sounding like a blubbering idiot. I think about almost losing her before she was born, I think about mistakes in my life that could have led to me not being an everyday dad to her, I think about her bald little head until she was 2, I think about her losing her tooth in an elevator in some hotel, I think about her non stop talking :), I think about her and I building the most gynormous snowman ever made, I think about her in her little dance tights and 2 little pig tails on the top of her head, I think about her having the same goofy sense of humor as me, I think about her love of a hot lunch, I think about how she gets all of her beauty and smarts from her mom, I think of how passionate she is about her family (both living and dead members)....I think about how my heart swells with love and pride at the thoughts of who she is and what she wants to do with her life.

Random (and not so random) thoughts:

- Isn't it funny how, no matter how many kids you have...they each hold a very special spot in your heart, and no matter what you do when you talk about them, you end up sounding like that child is your absolute favorite kid in the whole world?

- Lifelong dream has always been to be on Saturday Night Live and do comedy as a living. Somehow I don't think I could have ever realized that that dream pales in comparrison to the life I have now.

- It's not a new years resolution...but I'm working on the weight again. I'll post up weekly updates on the progress. Supposedly...if I keep myself at 1750 or less calories, by mid summer I should be at or near where I want to be...we'll see.

- Weight as of January 6th - 218 (READ: lard butt)

- 16 & 0 - That right there is the regular season record for your New England Patriots

- 2nd championship in 4 years for Your Boston Red Sox

- Have I mentioned this is a VERY good time to be a Boston sports fan?!?!?

- Have I also mentions I stinking miss being home, mainly because of the reason listed above.

- Randall. , we'd like to welcome you to the Christian Rock scene: Kutless is GOOD

- Through the belated sadness of losing my Grandmother, I have regained contact with one of the most important people in my life. Can't wait to catch up with him and his family and start to rebuild that foundation of family/friendship that has been out of my life for many years too many.

- Do any of you have that (or in some cases those) family member(s), that no matter how often you talk, be it every day/week or once every 6-12 months, you end up talking about the exact same things everytime? And I don't mean in the sense of, how are the kids and family type talk...literally the exact same conversations...maybe my family is the only family that is that bizare.

- Maybe I'm an email addict, but if you have an email account...why don't some people check it?

- Why would 2 men, early to mid 20's, have any need for about 30 ashtrays and 6 or 7 huge jars of mayonnaise, thats what I would like to know. (I happened to see this walking towards me at wal-mart a few weeks back). Sound like the beginning of a bad joke....ok, ok, ok...2 guys are walking through the store one with 30 ashtrays the other with 7 jars of mayo....you can finish this joke on your own.

- Do you ever talk to yourself...out loud...in various accents?...yea right, me neither.

- Do you ever answer yourself in a different accent?...again, me neither.

- I know coveting is a sin...but how stupidly cool is this: 153 inch Plasma TV

God is Good!

Thanksgiving Weekend...

2007-11-25T11:12:00.000-06:00

(If you click the barn picture, you can actually see the snow falling)

Thanksgiving Weekend...in New England...Putting up the tree with the snow falling outside, crackling of the fireplace, snow ball fights, Christmas carols, hot chocolate, the bitter chill of outside...

Oh wait...that's not Thanksgiving weekend in New England...that's right here is frosty Mayberry!!!! Sweet gravy is the world all backwards. Family back home celebrated Thanksgiving in about 60 degree weather, while we here in Texas had 34 degrees, bone chilling wind and 2-3 inches of snow!! BRILLIANT!

This weekend has been great. We had our 23 pound turkey and all the sides you have with it and of course pie :). We put up our Christmas tree on Saturday and decorated the house with all the decorations. Santa's Elf made an appearance and is attempting to keep the T.o.T.'s in line. (The elf comes to our house after thanksgiving and "watches" the kids and reports back to Santa up until Christmas.). And today (Sunday), we will all sit around for the first of many viewings of the Christmas classic movie "Elf".

Uno, Dos, Tres and I started a hopeful yearly tradition of playing Monopoly. It's their first time playing it and Uno plays exactly like I did as a kid, railroads and the blue properties (Boardwalk and Park Place - ie: expensive ones). She is also losing like I did every time :). Dos is turning out to be a little Donald Trump, minus the dead raccoon for hair. We started playing on Friday night after the T.o.T.'s went to bed and have continued each night until someone wins and as of right now Dos has about 4500 dollars and hotels on 6 properties while Uno has about 200 bucks and no houses anywhere while Tres and I have about 67 bucks and a couple of mortgaged properties!

Only real bummer of these weekend is Dos has pneumonia. He was coughing and had a fever on Wednesday and went back to the doctor on Friday and spent a good amount of the day going to the doctor, the hospital for x-rays, back to the doctor then finally home. Poor guy has been coughing and having a tough time breathing...but it hasn't stopped him from kicking Uno's, Tres's and my butt in Monopoly!

Unfortunately...I have to go back to work tomorrow. Things at work have been going awful, so I absolutely dread going back. When times at home are as much fun as they have been, it makes it so much harder to go back.

But, as always...God is Good...

Giving of Thanks

2007-11-20T11:17:00.001-06:00

I have regressed way too much from posting about the most important thing in my life; Jesus.

By my calculations; in the New American Standard Bible, the word "ThanksGiving" appears 41 times. Mostly in the Psalms, but from the beginning of time (Leviticus 7:12-15) through the end of time (Revelation 7:12), we are instructed to give God all the Thanks.

If our mom's raised us properly, we are very quick with our thank yous. Wal-Mart, McDonalds, co-workers, strangers holding the door for us, stranger NOT holding the door for us (but that would be a very sarcastic thank you). If we can thank these random people for their random acts, how much easier it should be for us to thank our Creator.

When making a sacrifice, do so with ThanksGiving: Leviticus 7:12
When looking out into the horizon, looking out into the world God created and the beauty He crafted, do so with ThanksGiving: Psalm 26:7
When embracing life and the tragedies overcome, do so with ThanksGiving: Psalm 30:1
When singing out praises to God, do so with ThanksGiving: Psalm 147:7
When taking comfort in the knowledge that God is in fact in control, do so with ThanksGiving: Isaiah 51:3
When providing comfort and service to others, do so with ThanksGiving: 2nd Corinthians 9:12
When praying for yourself and your relationship with Jesus, do so with ThanksGiving: Colossians 4:2
When praying for others and their relationship with Jesus, do so with ThanksGiving: 1st Timothy 2:1

Let's not lose sight of the fact that Thanksgiving is so much more than the turkey, stuffing, parades and football. Christians came here to be free from religious oppression. On that first thanksgiving, Captain John Woodleaf proclaimed "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god" (thank you wikipedia).

I encourage you to take some time and give God all the thanks he so richly deserves. I thank God for my wife, for my children, for the life he has so richly blessed me with, for another day, for His power, for His almighty control over all, for family & friends (current and lost, far and near), for good health, for times of strife which allows me to grow closer to Him, for His listening ear and forgiveness, for the cross, for a perfect resurrection, for the Holy Trinity, for the freedom to Thank Him out loud.

God is Indeed, Good.

Boys Day Out

2007-10-17T06:17:00.000-06:00

Has it really been 2 weeks since I last posted something, jeepers. Sunday was my birthday (and Seis's!) and I got to spend it with one of my favorite people in this world...my oldest son A.J. Not saying he is my favorite kid, he is one of the 8 most important people in my life!

When I found out the Patriots were playing the Cowboys earlier this summer, it was my mission to make that Dos's first football game. He loves football, likes the patriots because he wants to be Tom Brady (their quarterback) and likes the cowboys because when in Texas, do as the Texans do (I guess). So with approval from the president (read: the wife) I was able to get 2 tickets. I'm not sure who was more excited to be going, but I think at the end of the day, I might have been a little more excited :)
So we got up at 4:30AM to start our 5 hour drive out to Dallas. (Love living in the middle of nowhere!) Dos did great on the ride, just watched the 2004 Boston Red Sox Championship DVD (did I tell you I love this kid) and then played his game boy. Before we knew it we were pulling up to the stadium. After about 20 minutes or so of trying to find the proper parking lot, we finally pulled into a spot, which happened to be the Patriot section or something! Patriot banners and flags and jerseys were everywhere, felt almost like we were in Massachusetts again (sniff sniff...I miss home).

We then began our official tailgating party. Tailgating with a 7 year consists of grilling up some hot dogs, having a bag of Cheeto's and of course a sprite! We threw the football around for about an hour, ate up our most awesome grilled meat from the back of my truck and sat around for a while and watched all the crazy fans. Around noon or so we made our way into the stadium. After walking around for a bit we went down to the Patriots sidelines in hopes of seeing some of the players and getting autographs.

2 hours later we went back to our seats, with no autographs :). I think Dos was kind of disappointed. In his little 7 year old mind I think he expected Tom Brady to come out, have a soda with us, maybe bring us out on the field and play catch, then afterwards we'd all go out to dinner and a movie :). But, as Dos said, he got a few things that were way better than an autograph. While hanging out behind the Patriots bench one of the trainers came up to Dos and gave him an authentic NFL wrist band (which hasn't left Dos's arm yet!!!). Then a little later one of the security guards came up and gave him a stack of printouts the team uses after each play, which show how the team lined up on that play. They all have coaches markings on them and Dos was in heaven with those.

Finally we made it to our seats and the game started and the Patriots just kicked "Dem Cowboys" butts!! It was great. By the 3rd quarter Dos was ready to leave, but he stuck it out until near the end of the game. We got in the truck, headed over to the hotel, goofed off a bit and the next morning we drove back home. It was one heck of a trip.

Here are some of the notes I took during the day:

So we are in the parking lot. 5 hours of driving starting at 4:30am. We found a spot in patriot country here, its great. Surrounded by a whole bunch of patriot jerseys. Dos told me on the ride here that this is going to be one of the best days of his life! That's so awesome.
Dos is in his glory, being called "Little Brady" over and over again by Patriots and Cowboys fans here in the parking lot as we throw the football around
He just told me he "wouldn't sell our tickets even if the guy gave us 5,000 dollars!"
At the hotel now and little man is asleep, even though 18 seconds ago he said he wasn't tired and wanted to watch the football game that's on :) Reflecting on today, and this has to go down as one of the best days of my life. This is what you dream about when you have a son. Spending a day bonding and just hanging out together. Whether its at a sporting event, fishing or whatever it is you like to do. I think he had a good day. He got a little bored and tired near the end of the game, but I think he'll remember us throwing the football in the parking lot and the man on the field giving him an official NFL wristband and play sheets and us wrestling back here at the hotel. Those are the real bonding times...that and belly bumping and high fiving when the patriots scored against Dallas (which was A LOT!)

What an awesome, fun way to spend my 31st birthday. I missed being with Wife and the other kids, but this was lifetime memory making fun today. I always wanted my dad to spend time with me, and while I hope Dos liked today, its more selfish for me to have spent the time with him.

Dads...Get out and spend time with your kids. It's not only great for them and shows how much you love them and brings you so much closer....It's amazing for you as well.

God is Good...so is being a Dad.

Whoops...Funny

2007-10-03T15:24:00.001-06:00

So...without being too dirty here, I wanted to share this. I work in the IT department. Part of my job is to monitor how much hard drive space our servers have. For the computer illiterate that means I need to make sure there is room on the computers for people to save their files. So, I noticed today that one of our servers was very low, so I wrote up an email and sent it to the appropriate people and copied myself on the email. I proudly hit send, thinking "Man...am I on the ball today!!!" (no pun intended...you'll get that in a minute).

As I look at the email that pops into my in-box, which I had just sent to about 15 or 20 people, I notice a slight error. The subject line doesn't quite say what I had intended. My brain told my fingers to type: "Add Disk Space". My fingers decided to be funny and replaced the S with a C (and not in the word Space, but rather in the word Disk).

My stomach dropped! I immediately thought about HR coming to my office with a pink slip and a few boxes and how it would feel to be standing in line for food stamps. After that 5 second mental freak out was over, I then went through the names of the people I sent that too, and thank heavens it was only 1 woman and no major management people. I then laughed out loud at how funny that statement is, "Add Space"...that is stinking funny. Then I realized, oh crap...i need to send out another note to that same group of people and let them know I'm quite happy with....err I mean I had to email them all and apologize for that major mistake in typing.

Thankfully everyone has laughed, mostly at me, which is a huge sigh of relief. One guy came up to me and said he couldn't help me with that, only God could. hahhha. Man oh man, what a major idiot I can be...

Another funny from today...It's bathroom humor, so stop reading now if you are easily offended (as if that last story wasn't offensive enough). I went to the bathroom and the stench was just down right nasty. Too much Mexican I guess. BUT, thanks to my newest 3 year old son Cinco....through my trip to Liberia and his 4 or 5 trips a day to the throne, I was able to persevere through the hanging cloud of death and do my business. While in there, the cleaning lady knocks on the door...she's ready to clean up the place. She pokes her head in and asks if anyone is in there, which I quickly and nervously shout....Yes...SomeoneIsInHere...Don'tComeInHere!!!!!!

Be Honest now...You know that crazy nervous feeling you get when someone tries to open the bathroom door when you are in there...that "I can't quite jump up right now, so I have to shout out a garbled mess of sounds to let that person know I am in here" reaction...don't lie...we've all done it!! You end up groaning/mumbling/screeching like a rabid monkey.

Now before this lady even listens to hear if anyone is in there, she starts grumbling..."Ooooh...Good Lord...how in the world can you stand that...that is just down right nasty" and she sprayed this terrible grape/potpourrie spray stuff in the room...which stuck to my clothes. (I guess it could have been worse than smelling like the grim reaper and the death he brings) But that bad part is I still had to exit the bathroom...and now this lady thinks I have the ability to peal paint with my bodily functions...wonderful. She gave me the most disgusted look when I left.

ahhh....the things that make me laugh...I like being a boy.

Friday Night with the Kids

2007-09-28T20:23:00.000-06:00

(More pictures below)

It's 9:24pm and all the kids have been in bed and sleeping for an hour and 1/2 now. Can I get a witness?!?! Wife is out tonight, getting a much deserved break from all the poop, pee-pee, feedings, baths, laundry and crying (mine and the kids :) ). Tonight was my night to be Dad and Mom. It went over pretty well.

I'm sitting here now with Shrek playing on the TV (yea...for me and not any children!) and thought I'd post a few notes about life. Here is how I see my children a week and a 1/2 into our "new" life.

Uno: It seems as though she is really enjoying being a big sister, especially to baby Siete. She walks around with him on her hip and it's pretty funny to watch. She's been truly amazing in how she's handled the new kids and how helpful she and Dos have been. She also had too much on her plate with the Gifted program at school. She was going to the GEM program, which is a program for the gifted kids in Mayberry. It's held at a different school for 2 days of the week. She is perfect for the program intellectually, but emotionally it took a toll on her. I was driving her to GEM on Monday and she was so worked up, she puked in my hat!! Wife and I discussed it and decided it just isn't worth the emotional toll on her. She's an A+ student at regular school, and that's more than awesome. Maybe she can try the GEM program next year. But now she can just enjoy her new siblings and be the best big sister 6 kids could have.

Dos: What an amazing little guy. He has also embraced being the big kid in the house. Watching him play with Cinco, running around the house and being boys makes me so happy. I'm so stinking happy that he finally has a brother to play with. And when Dos comes near Siete, Siete just smiles and giggles. Dos has been so helpful and has sacrificed some of his little life to help out a tired and frazzled dad a few times this past week. It's funny to say, but I wouldn't have been able to be as good a dad if it weren't for Dos and Uno's unselfishness and great attitude towards helping out! In 2 weeks Dos and I will be in Dallas to see the Patriots beat the Cowboys...I can't wait for that 1 on 1 time with him.

Tres: She has taken well to be American :) We have a good amount of work to do, in terms of manners and learning how to interact with her new siblings. I assume orphanage life does this, but she tends to be very bossy and tell the T.O.T.'s (see previous post for definition) what to do and how to do it. I've had to raise my voice a few times with her and she doesn't like that too much. We had a melt down the other night at dinner when I tried to teach her to say "Yes Sir" when I tell her something. She told me no. She promptly went to her room wailing. After about 10 minutes of wailing, she calmed down, we talked (as well as we can) and now she knows and says Yes Sir when I give her direction. All of our kids have learned...it's yes ma'am, yes sir, no sir, no ma'am. We are the parents, not their school yard buddies. That all being said, she has been so much fun to play around with. She has a GREAT sense of humor and she gets it when I'm joking around with her and she even jokes back. I love that.

Quatro: I'll say this about Seis as well...Our African-American daughters have taken to talking African!!! I guess it sounds cool or being around it all day, it just rubs off on you. Quatro has actually been a lot better since the kids came home, compared to before they were home. She's slowly embracing being the 4 year old of the house, not quite a big kid, but not a little kid either. Although she really, REALLY, REALLY wants to be Tres. It's funny to watch her walk and talk like Tres . She comes out of her room and tells us how she has pretty hair like Tres or she is big like Tres. Pretty funny stuff.

Seis: So Seis has reverted back to being in pull-ups and "forgetting" how to put on her clothes. I think her place in the family is in question in her mind. It's frustrating but understandable. She was the baby of the family and now she's a big sister and one of 3 toddlers/pre-schoolers her age. She's such a a funny little girl and has such a goofy spirit. I hope we can help her through this adjustment time and she can just enjoy being the Seis of the family. She also talks about Siete as if he is a girl..."Her sock is off...She is laughing...." Drives me nuts!! :)

Cinco: Oh our little Cinco...our little human tornado. Everything he does, its loud, messy, clumsy, boisterous and full of chaos. It's hilarious to watch him just bounce off the wall because he wasn't paying attention to where he was going, fall to the ground, pop back up and run off to play. He has no sense of pain, as Dos will attest to, listening to Cinco slam his head into his head board at night and not wake up!! I also think the boy is French. Everything is prefaced with "le"...le car, le truck, le peepee, le drink. It's funny to hear. It also makes it hard to teach him to talk normally. He doesn't quite comprehend what we say to him most of the time, so he just repeats what we say or says "yeaaaa". You ask him, how do you ask nicely, his reply: how do you ask nicely. :)

Siete: Still one of the coolest babies you will ever meet. He has learned that being an American baby means, cry for whatever you want. Granted my precious wife has fed into it...something I would NEVER do *wink. Still though, he cries when hungry (which is every 18 seconds) or if he is tired (seems to be every 18 hours!!!). I taught him how to give kisses, which is awesome. Big huge wide mouth kisses, drool everywhere, can't beat that. Wife has started teaching to wave bye-bye, which makes him smile huge. He has put on some weight since being home, he is a whopping 15 pounds now. And to keep him "distracted" (as that "helpful" lady in Liberia suggested), we have found if Siete has a "forbidden toy" he is so happy. A forbidden toy would be: a block, maybe a random sock, a plastic cup, any toy Cinco may have breathed near.

Well that's all for now. Life is still awesome. It's tiring and hectic but as my good friend Jon says:

It's Worth It.

T.O.T's....

2007-09-23T16:31:00.001-06:00

Quatro, Cinco and Seis...coloring...or are they really plotting against us?!?!?!?

Triplets of Terror aka T.O.T's...this is my new name for Quatro, Cinco and Seis. Named in love of course. We went from twins of sorts with Quatro and Seis to now triplets of sorts with Cinco added to the mix. They are funny and cool and just short goofballs. I also think they get together and plot against us...the plot nothing but 3 and 4 year old evil :). Lots of noise, toy banging, fighting over toys, fighting over mom and dad's attention. It's too funny watching them try to be sneaky in the things they say and do, yet be so obvious in their plots. It should be quite interesting to see how these 3 will grow and take on the world, hopefully together and not against each other.

Life has been like one big blur for the last 2 weeks. Since I got home it feels like everyday has blended into the next. Yet it feels like I've been home for ever. I think people take for granted how hard it is going to Africa and back. Missions trips are tough when you get back, dealing with what you saw, heard and experienced. BUT, this trip was 10 times harder than the trip I went on in November. I brought Liberia back with me! It's never quiet or calm in this house now :) I think it's fun and great, but it makes the time to debrief and get your wits back so much harder. I'm not saying this in a whoa is me kind of way, just being honest with whats going on inside.

Tomorrow (Monday) starts the beginning of "real" life for us. I will be back at work for my normal time and the kids will be off to school. I am praying that new routines start to take shape and people in this house understand their rolls, whats expected and not expected of them and the overall "Ways of the "

It's funny to me how easily these kids have adapted. There have been times of struggles, and thats been expected and understandable. But for the most part, Siete, Cinco and especially Tres have been doing remarkably well. Tres acts as if she's been an American her whole life. Lounging on the couch in the morning, listening to Wife and My conversations (just like her big sister) and helping set and clear the table after dinner. Cinco has had the most hard time, in my opinion. He has been very tired, very whiny at times but still gets right in there with the kids and the toys. He's the most extreme kid I've ever met...the over dramatic sadness, over dramatic happiness, the over dramatic food explosions...the over dramatic bathroom explosions :). And Siete, just like in Africa, he's the coolest dude in the house. Feed him, change him and let him be. He loves playing with the forbidden toys...Cinco's trucks...or the remote control...he's really a dare devil :)

Jsut as I was about to post this, we just had a visitor at our house...nearly our entire COM group from church. (COM group is a home group). They brought over about 15 bags of groceries!!!! Sweet gravy that's awesome. WE won't be purchasing rice until Siete graduate college!!! What an incredible blessing. Thank You guys so much if any of you are reading this. It is such an incredible showing of love and we thank you oh so much.

Till later...God is Good!

Settling In...

2007-09-20T08:04:00.000-06:00

(too bad too it was a good picture of the fam)
(FYI...getting 8 people to sit and all smile and look at the same time at the camera....impossible!)

Wow...What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been. I think back to just one week ago and it's mind boggling to me that I was in Africa. A week ago I was ripping my hair out (I know I don't have hair, funny) with the loudness and whining of 5 kids and a baby (The Stewarts kids plus ours). A week ago I was missing my family in America, who was waiting for me to come home and start the next phase of the family. Today I'm sitting in my recliner, typing away on normal speed internet access, listening to the noise and loudness of the newly formed household.

The kids are all adjusting as well as they possibly can be. I'm actually shocked and amazed at how well everyone is getting along. After being in that African hotel room and listening to the constant cries of Cinco, the non stop calls for "beeesket" (Liberian for cookie or cracker), wiping poo-poo hiney's 4 or 5 times a day, I was so nervous about how this all was going to work out. But God is glorious. It's been pretty fun here. Kids playing, talking, laughing. Mom and Dad finding time for everyone, even though it seems like someone is always being forgotten or lost in the crowd. Cinco hasn't whined as much, heck hardly at all. Although he is still a stinking poop factory. Tres is so much more comfortable now that we are in "America". She has taken to having her room with Uno, her dolls and a virtual toy store of toys to goof off with. She hasn't had one of her wailing fits since being home. and Siete...Well he's still the man. He's learned that crying is the way to get what you want in the U.S.A! And that food is here all the time and his mouth is open all the time, what a perfect marriage.

At dinner last night, I'm looking at these 7 kids and it hit me that, there are 7 freaking kids at my table!!! Good grief. Each one has their own little personality and future ahead of them. It's going to be interesting to see how it all plays out and what the new routines will be like and which kids gravitate towards each other. We have the momma wanna be in Uno, the quiet yet confident singer in Tres, the human tornado in Cinco, the proud big brother in Dos, the confused yet goofy Sies, the want to be 9, but still only 4 year old Quatro and then the "I'm the man...feed me" Siete. How amazing is this? How cluttered and loud and congested is this? How Awesome!!

God is so merciful and gives us all we need to make it through the challenges of this life. He's given us the means to take in 7 children. He's given us the patience to get through the days of stress here at home as well as in Africa. He's blessed Wife and I with a love for each other that is like no other. He's blessed us with an instant desire to love these 7 kids, which is a miracle for me, because frankly...I do not like kids, toddlers especially. (As 3 of them are in the playroom yelling at each other and fighting over toys!).

And so the chaos of our life will now continue. It's going to be a fun, interesting, stressful, rewarding, tiring,, loving and funny time. But most importantly, I pray it's a time/life of God's blessing's on these kids. All are hand picked by God to be a part of this family, in order to bring more people to His family.

God is so Good!

And We're Home!

2007-09-18T11:50:00.000-06:00

Praise God We are HOME!!!

What a crazy trip home. It started out on Sunday after we went to church at Greater Love Baptist Church. Pastor Wesley preached and we worshiped Jesus together, African style. It was fun and of course pretty hot in that little church. Had some fun times talking and joking with a lot of the people we met in November on the mission trip.

We went to the Airport after church. I told Pastor Wesley we wanted to be at the airport early and he joked with me, saying I was going to be there waaaay to early. Well I'm glad we insisted on leaving at 2PM instead of the 4PM he was trying to convince us to leave at. We got to Roberts International Airport in Monrovia after an hour long drive. We made it into the airport with only a few people looking for money. When I went to check in, they told me I didn't have a ticket for Siete. I showed them I had tickets for him from Brussels to Dallas and tickets for everyone else from Monrovia to Dallas, I wouldn't have NOT purchased the cheapest ticket of them all for the baby. The fought with me, sent me to the Brussels Airline office and made me sit there for a half hour before the figured out THEIR mistake. I was already tired and annoyed, but I took my boarding pass and went back through security and got passed a few more attempts at bribes by the security personal.

While I was fighting with Brussels airline to let me get my baby on the plane, Kevin was fighting with the Liberian Customs and Immigration people. They wouldn't let him past the passport stamping process because he didn't have the "adoption packet" that all adoptive parents have presented to him for the past years when they leave Liberia. We were on the phone to Addy's Hope and eventually the man and Pastor Wesley talked and Pastor Wesley was able to get us through. For about an hour or 2 we all thought we were going to be trapped in Liberia for who knows how long. But God is gracious....and we were allowed to pass through and by the time we all had made it to the waiting area, our flight was boarding. Had we waited until 4, like Pastor Wesley wanted, we would have been stuck there even longer. Thank You God!

Finally after all that, we got on the plane and started our 28 hour or so travels home. The flights were decent. God put in our paths some great people who were naturally curious why a few white guys had a gaggle of brown children making lots of noise and running around. So many people helped out at different times on different flights, giving the kids some distraction from whatever was making them sad.

Each flight got progressively worse for Tres. She naturally got more tired as we got off planes, waited in airports, got on planes and move all about. She ended up having some large meltdowns on planes and in the airports. But again different people helped out, and having a stranger come up and talk nicely and trying to comfort her helped so much.

When we finally landed in Mayberry, it all made sense. She asked me if we were in America? All those flights, taking off and landing, she was sad we weren't in America and was questioning if she was ever going to go to America, which is what she was promised by Pastor Wesley.

Today being home with my family, it's so much fun looking at my kids and seeing the future of family name all together in one house. Communication is a little difficult, but Cinco and Dos have been playing, Tres has been looking at books and dressing her new doll, all the kids have been playing in the playroom. I know, as it is with all kids, there will times of stress and craziness, but I am so glad to call this crew my family. God has blessed me so many times over I don't even know how to express to Him in prayer or action how in awe and grateful I am for the opportunities he has given and allowed us to do for Him.

Brown and white faces, boys and girls, Liberians and American....Our's.

Praise God!

Last post until I am home!

2007-09-15T17:24:00.000-06:00

Today we went to the reception with the birth families. It was awkward but not too bad. Tres's mother and aunt were there and were very outgoing. They were very happy to see Tres going to America to have a good life. Cinco and Siete's mother and his father (or so I think) was there. Their mother seemed very quiet and it was awkward. The father was more outgoing. They took turns holding the boys. Cinco had a great night after we got home, Tres had a meltdown, but recovered and went to sleep. I am sure it was an emotional day for all of them. Siete still has very wet poopy diapers, so pray that it gets better for the plane ride.

This is the last time I will be able to post until I am home. We are flying out Sunday night and will be in A CITY Monday night, then Mayberry Tuesday morning. Pray for a smooth flight.

I Love You Guys!

I Love You God!

Visa's in Hand!!!!

2007-09-14T16:20:00.000-06:00

Praise God we have our visas. Not without some drama, but they are in hand.

Pastor Wesley came by at 1 o'clock like he said he would, to bring us to the Embassy to get the visas. Only he was pretty flustered and talking about 3 hours of traffic and how Fanny (one of the other kids being adopted by the Stewarts) needed to have her finger prints done. He wanted to take me and fanny to the embassy to get her prints done and for me to pay my last fee. I told him heck no, we were all going. The whole ride there and wait I thought her prints needed to be run by the US government. After waiting outside for about 30 minutes at some restaurant while Pastor Wesley and Fanny were in getting her finger prints, we finally were allowed into the Embassy and we waited for the visas and our immigration packets to be processed. Thankfully the visa for Fanny wasn't held up because of her prints and everyone left with an immigration packet and visa. Turns out, since Fanny's passport says she was born in 1993 (absolutely no way she is 14 years old), she had to have finger prints done. New policy for anyone 14 and older coming in the country. So since her paperwork says she is 14 (again...she must have been born in 1993, not 1998) she needed finger prints. While waiting of course Siete had a sloppy poopy.

Spent some good time with our friend Matthew tonight. We met him when the missions team came to Liberia in November. He is a solid guy and working hard to finish his degree in Accounting. It was good to spend time with him and hear his stories of life in Liberia. We all sat around and talked tonight; Ryan, Kevin, Matthew and I. It was fun to share our stories and life with each other.

Tomorrow is our day of fellowship at the church. It should be interesting. We will be meeting the birth parents of the children we are adopting. Those who know me know, when I say it'll be interesting, I mean I think it's going to be weird. I pray that it will go ok. I'm told that the relationships with the parents and kids aren't like they are in the US. Still, if the kids see their birth mothers, it could get awkward and potentially sad.

Random thoughts about Liberia: All the wood carvers make the same stuff...are they really wood carvers? Or is there a wood carvers outlet somewhere?It's the rainy season here...probably should have packed a parka or 2The roads here are a major mess. Holes the size of Rhode Island!! (For you Texans...that's like the size of a most hats worn in the Lone Star State)The electricity here in the hotel stays on consistently for about 18 minutes.Ryan looks pretty stinking funny holding baby...19 years old and wiping boogy noses and rocking babies to sleep. He is so freaking incredible.

Thanks Jon, Sara, Mike and Chuck for stopping by the house! You guys are awesome.

Love You Guys....Love You God

Made it Through the Embassy Appointment

2007-09-13T07:44:00.000-06:00

Thank God, We made it to the embassy...filled out about 4 million forms...didn't know what to put in most of the boxes on each form...fudged our way through it all and God willing we will have visa for all the kids tomorrow at 2PM. It was a long hour or so at the embassy with 6 kids and 4 guys packed into a very small room and the kids getting tired and bored, but once again Ryan was a champ and kept everyone as calm as possible.

So only a few more days and we'll be on our way home. Kids are napping now...by kids I mean Siete, Cinco and Ryan!! :)

Not too much else to report from here. We have been spending time in the hotel. The kids all play together. I think having Charles, Giftie and Fannie here has been a great help. They all get crazy and loud at times, but it gives them all people to play with. Hawa and the Stewarts kids play all the time so it seems fun for them.

God is so good to me for allowing me this opportunity, I just pray next time He'll allow Wife and I to do it together. Adoption is a God ordained WE thing, but this trip makes it feel like a ME Thing, so sorry for hogging all this stuff Wife, you can have the first week home with them :). But I don't question His plan for us and this trip. I haven't had as much time to spend in the Word as I wanted to being here, but He has full on shown Himself to me through these little people. It's amazing how, through all the bodily fluids and stresses, I immediately have a love for these little ones. I can't explain it except to say...that's how God loves each and every one of us. He shakes his head at us and says why oh why....but I still Love You.

No pictures this post...the internet here is so darn slow. And we keep losing power. It's like I'm living in Africa or something....

oh and will someone...Jon, Mike, Chuck...someone PLEASE check in on my beautiful wife. In one day I hear about a flood in the kitchen and a fire in the oven. I'd like to make it home, to a home and a family!!! :)

Love you Guys!
Love you God!

Wednesday

2007-09-12T15:13:00.000-06:00

I am putting this up for Randy
---Wife

Just a quick post tonight. Today was out chill out day at the hotel, which went surprisingly well. No one really got too restless and we all played together, napped a little of the day away, ate some snacks and colored.

I did get to enjoy the wonderful experience of cleaning up vomit. Tres ate too many different snacks and ended up toss her snacks into the sink. It's like I can't avoid puke with my kids. Here and Uno should get along just great!! I had to transfer her tossed cookies from the sink to the toilet, because, well because of it's consistency. Ended up cutting a water bottle in half then scooping it out and moving it to where it belongs. Stomach's starting to hurt thinking about it!!!

Siete is still very congested. He is sneezing out HUGE boogie strings, which anyone who knows me knows, I can't handle boogies. give me the puke, but the boogies and *shivers.
Tomorrow is out trip to the embassy. Pray for a smooth process. Some stories are good and others are bad about the lady we need to deal with, so I pray this all goes smoothly and we get the visa on Friday morning. I'd rather not spend more time here.
Love you Guys!
Love you God!!

Just another Tuesday in Liberia

2007-09-11T16:26:00.001-06:00

PICTURE REMOVED

We went to the Greater Love Children's Home today. We took tons of pictures and handed out gifts to the kids. It was a mad house!!! It was fun to be able to give to the to-be adopted kids the packages their new families sent for them. The older kids seemed to "get it" but the little guys and girls had no idea what I was about :) All the kids really like looking through the photo albums families send. It was tough leaving though, so many kids were crying, thinking that this was their turn to go home. One little girl kept hugging my leg. I also felt bad for Tres (our little 6 year old girl). She was crying a lot before we left and she was really clingy to Ryan and I when we were at the Children's Home. I'm not too sure bringing them back there is a smart idea, but it seems like that is the customary thing to do.

Pastor Wesley has done some great work at the orphanage. There is a cement wall that now surrounds the facility and an additional class room was built. BUT, more importantly is the new well on the property that a previous adoptive family raised the money to have drilled. Now, instead of walking 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile to get water, they can just go right outside. Thank God for that!

Tomorrow will be a hang out day at the hotel, Which really means, scramble to come up with ways to keep the kids entertained :) Glad I brought Ryan. Hopefully the DVD's I brought and music and toys will keep them entertained. So far the kids have been pretty good. Kevin and I keep our doors open for most of the time we are here, so the kids run around from room to room and play together. I'm glad Kevin is here adopting his 3 cute kiddos. It's helped having another person to talk to, but even more so it's helped the kids (mostly Tres) have fun playing with her friends.

As far as these kiddos go...I'll tell you what, it is EASY to fall in love with Tres. She absolutely precious. She acts like a 6 year old and has a little bit of a selfish side (to be expected) but she is so mild mannered you can accept it and still want to give her a hug. She accepts a short "Don't do that" and moves on, usually with a smile. Only time she won't respond to me is when she is sad, which has only been 2 or 3 times so far. Siete is just a cool little dude. He is sick I think but he just hangs out and rarely makes a noise. He is however in that I want to reach out and touch everything in and out of my reach and whine if I can't have it stage. Also playing the drop my toy and daddy will pick up game....I love that game...he usually wins. Cinco...I'm still confused about. I'm not sure if he is just really good at playing the whining game or he really is THAT whiney :)He can be and is very adorable but he is absolutely stubborn. If he can't have his way...then he'll just whine and cry and still try to do what he wants. Oh and the kid can eat!!! Unfortunately the by-product of that is: 5 trips to the potty and all I can say is it the most unHOLY of experiences.

FYI: I didn't proof read this, so I apologize for any misspellings or weird looking sentences!!!

Thanks for all the notes guys....We love it and can't wait to be back home.

HE Is our Solid Rock!

Day 2....

2007-09-10T16:55:00.000-06:00

Today we went as saw the medical clinic. It was so awesome to see how much has been done. They were in the process of tiling the floors so there will be no more cement dust for the patients. Also they have started to build a radio station for Pastor to broadcast his sermons.

He also showed us the building that will be known as the Marion house. It's the infant home for the babies to stay in, away from the older children and potential illnesses. It is named after a baby girl who was going to be adopted, but got sick and passed away a few months ago. Her to be adoptive parents have raised money to help build it. It's being built on the property that Pastor Wesley and his family live on. It'll have a place for the infants, an office for Addy's Hope as well as a second floor for visitors, missionaries and most importantly adoptive parents.

We are spending the rest of the day today at the hotel and man, 5 kids and a baby...that is one loud combo. We did have one "emergency" after breakfast when Ryan picked big Z out of his stroller and dripping out of his pants was a mustard looking, sulfer spelling substance. It was absolutely nasty. He had exploded all out of his pants and up his back. Ryan and I both kind of froze, he held Siete out with two arms and just held him there...I...well I just stared for about 30 seconds. I had no idea what to do :)...finally I came too and got the wipes, cleaned up Siete's legs and stroller then up into the shower we went...oh the joy of diapers.

I realized today that most of the clothes we brought Quatro and Siete are just way too big. the shorts I put on Siete today he needed a belt, so I think this will be a week of onsies and 1 piece outfits. Too bad I didn't bring him a nice pant suit.

It's going to be an interesting dynamic when we all get home. I know Dos and Uno are going to want to play with Tres and Quatro and I'm sure they will do fine, but the Liberian kids are very hard to understand. And the way these kids interact with each other, it's like they lived in an orphanage or something. They are surprisingly sharing, but also very territorial. If a toy or food is dropped, they will yell at each other to get it back, but if they feel like sharing, they'll offer up the same toy that they just fought for.

Today Quatro has really come out of his shell, almost too much :) He is one of the louder kids and very vocal with what he wants. I was able to make him giggle and he responded to tickles. I was so nervous last night that he was going to be so quiet and withdrawn, but he seems like he's going to fit in just right as a .

Tomorrow will be a day at the children's home to visit and give out the adoptive parents gifts they sent to their new children. Wednesday is a day to just hang out at the hotel (which could be 1 loooooong day), Thursday is our trip to the embassy, Friday back to the embassy to pick up visa's (God willing), Saturday there will be a fellowship time with the biological parents and members of the church (not sure I knew about that and trying to figure out how comfortable I am with that), then Sunday we start our short 2 day trek home.

Last 2 things. 1. Thank you all for the comments and emails...nothing like being a 30 yr old guy along in restaurant, weird techno music playing in the background, in the middle of Liberia Africa....wiping tears off my face. I love it!! and 2. God is so stinking amazing...He sent with me the most incredible friend in Ryan...he's 19 years old and is making this trip even more fun than it would have been by myself. I absolutely wouldn't have been able to do this with out him!!! Great job Reich's in raising one heck of a kid!!

Getting pictures up here is so tough, I apologize for not having more. The internet connection is amazingly, painfully slow.

Love You All!

We Made It!!

2007-09-10T03:26:00.000-06:00

Well it's 7:45AM Monday morning and Ryan and Tres are still sleeping, Cinco is laying on the bed but wanting nothing to do with anything and Siete is sucking his fingers laying next to me.

We made it! Mayberry to Don'tKnow to Washington to Brussels to Monrovia....30 whatever hours later, we are here. The flights were for the most part, not that great. There was a lot of turbulence and at one point on our way to Brussels, the plane dropped a few feet unexpectedly, which promptly made people scream and one person called out to Jesus. Scared the junk out of me. Once in Brussels we met up with Kevin, who is one brave man. He is also adopting 3 children through Addy's Hope, only he came here alone.

We landed in Monrovia and didn't have any troubles getting our bags and getting through customs...that right there is 1 HUGE Praise God! Met the kids last night and took "ownership" of them, not too sure how else you say that. We went to Pastor Wesley's house after checking in at the hotel.
Tres seemed very nervously excited. She wanted to come and be by my side but didn't want to make too much eye contact. Cinco wanted nothing to do with any of us. Seite came right to me and just chilled out, but he's a baby and that what they do best. The 3 children Kevin is adopting seemed to accept him as soon as he got there. IT was very dark out and a lot of people were all around, so it was hard to keep straight everything that was going on.

Afterwards, We brought them back to the hotel to get some dinner. Ordered up 2 plates of Liberian style chicken, which I forgot is pretty spicy. BUT...Cinco and Tres ate it like champs. Tres almost ate a whole plate by himself. Tresput back her share, but she didn't eat as much as I thought she would. I sat with Seite on my lap the whole time, no high chairs in Liberia I guess.

After eating and talking with Pastor Wesley, we finally came back up to the room for the night. I will tell you the next hour and 1/2 or so was one of the most stressful, doubt filled times in my entire life. Cinco and Tres were very quiet and didn't seem to want to have anything to do with us. And Seite....he cried...and cried.....and cried. He cried through a bottle, a new diaper, new pjs....he just wailed. I had no idea what to do....this would be the time I would say Wife....here! He finally fell asleep as I rocked him, but man I thought he was going to cry all night long.

So now, when everyone wakes up, we'll go get some breakfast and maybe head over to the medical clinic to drop off the medical stuff Kevin brought with him. After that I'm not sure what the plan is. What I do know is I didn't plan on the rain. It's is pouring out and I don't have anything to cover us.

Stupid battery in the laptop is dying....I'll try to get more pictures up later.

It is indeed worth it.

And We're Off....

2007-09-08T03:36:00.000-06:00

4:30 AM....not fun. But neither was 2AM, 2:15AM, 3:06AM....you get the point...I was up a lot last night...I'm ready to go.

Spent last night with Ryan and his awesome parents. It was fun sitting around, eating pizza and laughing together. It's easy to see where Ryan gets his incredible spirit and love.

OK I'm off to go give my kiddos some last minute hugs and kisses. Oh and wipe away the tears Dos has running down his face!

God is AMAZING!!!

Tick Tick Tick

2007-09-06T09:36:00.000-06:00

44 hours and counting. Packing has been funny...I think I've counted my outfits about 30 times and I'm not even close to being done packing my clothes. I just want to be sure I have enough outfits to not have to worry when I'm there, but don't want to carry more than needed.

All the logistical things are starting to weigh on me a bit. Like, what exactly am I supposed to be getting after I go to the embassy? How early do I need to be at the airport when we leave Liberia? How can I be sure the hotel has a confirmation for me? It's not like we used Hotels.com to book the thing :). Did I bring enough snacks?

I am realizing through all of this though, I love it. I love the fact that God has empowered me and prepared me to be strong enough to travel to Africa to pick up 3 children. The "stresses" of doing this all could be so much more damaging had God not hand picked me to go to Liberia last year and gotten my international travel feet under me. God's made me such a closet Type-A person...I've got my lists, my itineraries, my lists about my lists, my printed emails, items in zip lock bags with labels on them and more lists about my lists. It's awesome.

I still giggle at the thought of two guys walking up to the embassy with the 3 little kids saying..."Yes, We are here to adopt them"...it's a very "happy" thought....if you know what I mean. So many of my friends in Massachusetts would be sooooo proud!

I think one of the neatest things I have been given the opportunity to do is to hand out photo albums and gifts for some of the children being adopted by families here in the U.S. I hope some of those kids will understand what the pictures mean and start to get that excited feeling, that they will have homes soon enough...no more cramped living and sleeping...no more wondering about how much food or water there is...no more wondering who their forever family is. God is so Awesome to give me this opportunity!

Totally off subject...if you haven't seen Wild Hogs and/or Blades of Glory...you are missing out. 2 very funny movies.

Post more soon!
God is Amazing in all He does in our lives.

Random Thoughts from the Past Month

2007-09-01T15:51:00.001-06:00

I really have been meaning to post more, but life has gotten so busy, so here is a recap of random things I've wanted to share:

Fantasy Football Time is here!!! I drafted my "important" team...it's pretty good, hopefully I'll finish in the top 3.

I miss home. I hear New Hampshire is really nice this time of year!

Red Sox are leading their way to the playoffs. 1 month left and they have a 6 game lead. Sure it was once at 14 games, but I'm not panicking.

Had Dos's friend birthday party this past Saturday. I pretty much just lived the kid birthday party of my dreams, through my son! He wanted a sports party, so I painted a 50 yard football field out in the back yard (end zones and all), set up a kickball/baseball diamond, put up the volleyball net, horseshoe area and water balloons. The football field was fun and Dos seemed to like it. That right there is what being a dad is all about. Giving your family all that you can and trying your hardest to make their lives happy and dreams to come true. I love that part of being a Dad and Husband.

One full suitcase is packed now. For the record, I'm bringing a bunch of stuff. Donations for the Children's Home, snacks for us and the kids, 9 outfits per child (that's 27 total outfits for the multiplication impaired), diapers, pull-ups, books, toys, extra socks and undies for each child and stuffed animals. And I haven't even thought about putting my stuff into a suitcase yet. 2 gynormous suitcases, a stroller and a huge backpack...awesome :)

I'm really feeling God in me the last few days. Leading up to this trip, I was feeling Him moving in my life and some how, as the trip became a reality, with real dates, I kind of took over and allowed the stress to come into my days. Sunday at church, God just slapped me in the back of the head and set me straight. The trip will be stressful, but I have a peace and excitement that I didn't have a few days ago.

Weight Loss Update: I've lsot 6 pounds so far. Could have lost more, but frankly some food is too good to pass up. Still trying to pray my way to 185.

All for now...More updates as the trip starts.

HE is the Solid Rock

Ryan and Randy's Excellent Adventure

2007-09-01T15:33:00.000-06:00

Ya dude....Down to like one gnarly week....AIR GUITAR!!!!

Been a month since I blogged here....and now it'll be like a flood of info. Ryan and I are leaving in exactly 1 week. Visa's, Passports, Malarone....all are in and ready. One big suitcase is packed, another is partly packed. It seems like we've been waiting forever to finally go and now the date is 1 week away!!!

I am so blessed ot have an incredible friend in Ryan to share this experience with me. He is a champ and a half and has his head on straight with the Lord. I can't wait to spend this time with him. I'm nervous to see how Cinco, Seite, and Tres respond to us, but I feel good knowing Ryan absolutely loves kids and kids love him immediately. So even if they are freaked out by me, I know they'll respond really good to him.

On the home front, we are pretty much prepared. Just finished putting the crib up. Installed the car seats earlier this week...(Have been asking God to forgive me for the swears...stupid things...). Going to help Wife build up a stand up thing for Seite to play/sit/stand in. Still need to get a couple of dressers. Lots of clothes have been donated/bought. I think it's safe to say...we are ready! not sure we will feel ready those first few days, but we are ready. God has prepared us and given us all we need for this next stage of life.

I find myself doubting a little, how ready I am to travel around the world with 3 little ones I don't know yet. It's going to be pretty interesting trying to understand who these 3 little humans are, get them to trust who I am, feed them at the right times, bathroom breaks with a 6 year old girl, going through customs, trying not to sleep on the plane with them with me, being the person in charge, taking all the pictures and notes to document the whole thing properly, hand out the gifts for the next adoptive families. It's official....I need a list!!

As the date to leave gets closer I'll be posting more up here. While on the trip, I should have internet access, so I will be posting up pictures and thoughts for that day. Please keep track of our trip and and comments would be great. It's great to hear and feel the encouragement.

God is truly Amazing!

August 2nd 2007

2007-08-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

Today is Emily's 29th Birthday....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE!!!

Thank you for all that it is you do in all of our lives. You are an inspiration to me and I have learned so much about life through you and how you deal with all life throws at you. You have touched more people's lives then you will ever know.

I Love You.

Random Thoughts

2007-07-30T11:38:00.000-06:00

I've been wanting to post something up here for a few days now, just couldn't get all my thoughts in order. When you have such a gynormous brain, it tends to happen. :) Here are the things that have been going on/I've been thinking about.

Daughtry's song "Home" - Heard this on K-Love the other day. FOR THE RECORD: I have been talking about the incredible Christian lyrics in this song for weeks now. It's not technically a Christian song, but is it ever a cry out to heaven. I'll post the lyrics up one of these days.
The Bible tells us that we will lose friends and family members when we choose Jesus over the world. I read that and comprehend it, but it really hit home recently. The one person other than my wife, whom I love and trust more than anyone else, has pretty much up and forgotten our friendship. Having moved 2,000 miles away doesn't help in keeping friendships as they always were, but you'd think the 2 of us being 30 would make it a little easier. I consider my friend as close as family, if not more so. The contact between us gotten more and more sparse and I don't know how to make it come back. It stinks to see him related to his MySpace "friends" more than his so called "brother".
So one thing that has been on my heart for a few weeks now, is the topic of Spiritual Leadership in the home. God has been laying on me the idea of how the Man is the one responsible for the growth of the home. Men are, by Biblical standards, the Spritual Leader of the house and the wife is to honor and respect the husband. I gotta tell yea, that is some awkward stuff right there to write. How easy it can be for a man to take advantage of this "power" and honor God has given us. How many men claim to spend time in the word and prayer and are truly seeking out God's will? If a man does this, God will make His will known to the husband and wife. If a man isn't seeking God's will, then arguments and strife will overrun the house. Someday I'll expand on this, but in short it's my belief that God has given men an enormous responsibility to set order in the home and the only true way to do this is through time in God's word and prayer.
I've started reading 4-6 chapters a morning of the bible. My good friend Chuck gave me the book "Cultivating a Life for God" by Neil Cole, which talked about reading the Bible daily in large doses. Pretty much the theory is: If God can't change you through his Word and prayer, no man can. I agree with that to an extend. I think God can use others to change a person's heart or at least get into a persons heart. But all in all I agree with the books thoughts and I have been reading 20-30 chapters a week. It's been interesting and I think a part of what I wrote about the Spiritual Leaders of the home is a result of my quiet times.
Adoption Update: Siete has been released from the hospital and is now staying with Pastor Wesley at his home. We feel so blessed that Siete is doing ok. Last week another baby in the orphanage went to the hospital and the illness overtook her and she went home to heaven. Please pray for these children living in an area where dehydration can kill them. We are still waiting for the official "OK" to travel. Feels like we have been waiting forever for this process to come to an end. In HIS time I know, but I'm human and can't understand His time sometimes.
July 31st: Baseball's official trading deadline. Looks like some deals will be made, but nothing will ever be like 2004 when the Red Sox traded fan favorite Nomahhhh for a couple of players who 3 months later propelled them to their first championship in 86 years.
Lastly...I'm praying my way to 185. I've put the pounds on again. God tells us our bodies are a temple. I realized the other day, this temple now has a garage and barn!! Time to get myself down to where I should be. I'm aiming for a weight I haven't been in my adult life. Through prayer, God has worked in me to remove other junk from my life, and I'm praying He will push me and give me the strength to lay off the extra cookies or large lunches.

Until Next Time....He is Our Solid Rock!

Holy 409

2007-07-18T12:49:00.000-06:00

Aaaahhhh...to be so new to it all. It's happened a few times now, I read something or learn something new at church and it hits me like a ton of bricks. My eyes are opened and I feel like a new creature in God again. This happened a few weeks ago as our pastor taught through Psalm 51. I hear it, I feel it and I start praying it and God just fires me up with his amazing lovingkindness. I then run to people and tell them all about it and how amazing it is and how it can too change your life. Most people down here are life long Christians and they give me a look like "Boy...you ain't from 'round these parts are ya?"

Have you ever taken time to read through Psalm 51 ? If not I recommend you sit down for an hour or so, read through it, pray it out loud to God. He teaches us to pray back to Him His word and Psalm 51 is a perfect piece of wisdom to pray right back to Him. I've asked God to take out the Holy 409 and clean me even more on the inside.

-----

A whirlwind of family times came to a close on Monday. During the last week in June we had my father in law and his wife in town for 5 days. It was great to sit and talk with them at night and just share our new family with them. It's always a treat for me to get some time with my father in law. He and Wife's mom were always amazing to me, in every way possible. (I still say to this day I never technically lived with them after Uno was born, but I can only say that because I didn't have mail delivered there...I did have my own room though.) It was great to talk about God with them and get a glimpse into their lives and relationships with Jesus. It's such an inspiration to me to see others living out the life God has put before them.

Then last week we had Wife's brother Andy come stay with us for a week or so with his wife Maureen and daughter Ashley. It was the first time I got to sit with them as a Christian and listen with an open heart, their views and thoughts and share my thoughts and views of Jesus and our lives here on earth. We got to share how God is working in our lives, prayed together and just hung out for the week. There was a lot of sore arms and necks from playing games on the Wii :)

I realized a few things from these visits. First, God is amazing and so in control of everything everywhere. Hearing stories about my father in law being talked to by God in the middle of the night and working on new ministry ideas. While doing that, God is pushing Andy to start his new life at a new church and giving him the peace he needs to make that transition. At the same time He is working on Wife and I with the adoption and patience. From Tennessee to Massachusetts to Texas, God is right there in control of it all. And that isn't even beginning to think about all the people all over the world God is with. Psalm 121 teaches us that God does not slumber nor sleep...think about the enormity of that.

Second I learned that God has really worked in me the last year or so. Biblical knowledge I didn't think I was retaining is actually in there. God has really opened my eyes to how He expects me to live and raise my family. I was so afraid I was going to be "different" when the family was in town, but I feel like I am really building a foundation on solid rock and not sinking sand. I don't know if we will ever be called to move back home or anywhere outside of where we are now. What I do know is, if it ever happens, God plan for us being here is working and we are so much stronger in Him. I believe He moved us down here, to remove us from all that kept us from Him. I can't wait to see how He uses us as we continue to grow.

----
Adoption Update: If you haven't been reading Wife's blog, you should be :). Seite is in the hospital and that is absolutely nerve wracking. He has been throwing up for a while now and they brought him to give him fluids and medication to try and stop it. It all sounds so basic and trivial, but in Africa it isn't. Too many babies, children and adults die of dehydration.

Cinco and Tres, from what we have been told are doing good. We got a new group picture and we can see Tres (fingers in mouth and all) and Tres in it and they look pretty good. Seite couldn't be found in the picture, we think we can see half of his head behind someone.

We are getting closer to traveling. Our paper work is moving along and passports are in. We are now just waiting for the "OK" to travel. I'm taking one my friends from the Liberia mission trip with me. He's going to help out with the 3 little ones. He's an amazing young man and I feel honored to be going with him.

I think that's all I have for now. Stupidly long post today, sorry. :) Hopefully I'll have more in the next few days.

All to His Glory

8 Years and Counting

2007-06-25T13:31:00.001-06:00

Your deep beautiful eyes
Your most genuine smile.
Your touch that makes me melt
Your hug that comforts
Your heart made of gold
Your soul - hand picked by God
--Just for me--

How lucky am I?

Today marks the 8 year wedding anniversary for Wife and me. It is also the 12 year and 1 day anniversary of us dating. We are quickly approaching the point where we can say we have lived more of our lives together than apart.

I thank God for the wife He has put on this earth for me. I haven't always been the best at hearing His desires for me, but I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Wife was made to walk hand in hand with me for eternity. Together, as we continue to grow up together, I learn each day how amazing our Father's love is for me, just by looking at my beautiful Wife.

Happy Anniversary My Love. We've been through so many darkest valleys and highest mountain tops and I can't think of anyone else I would have wanted to be on this journey with. I am by far the most blessed husband. You are a picture of everything God teaches us about a wife.

I Love You and dedicate my life to being the best husband God wants me to be, for Him and you.

Together Forever....right? :)
Randy

A Blessing I Didn't See...Until Now

2007-06-25T12:48:00.000-06:00

Ever have a blessing stare you in the face, and you thought you were seeing it, only to have God rip the scales off your eyes to expose His true beauty and grace? The following was sent to me by my friend Tricia.
________________________

Daily Devotional by Max Lucado

"the One who came still comes and the One who spoke still speaks"

June 18th

He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world.

Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV)

Search the faces of the Cap Haitian orphanage for Carinette...The girl with the long nose and bushy hair and a handful of photos...The photos bear the images of her future family. She's been adopted.

Her adoptive parents are friends of mine. They brought her pictures, a teddy bear, granola bars, and cookies. Carinette shared the goodies and asked the director to guard her bear, but she keeps the pictures. They remind her of her home-to-be. Within a month, two at the most, she'll be there. She knows the day is coming....Any day now her father will appear. He came once to claim her. He'll come again to carry her home. Till then she lives with a heart headed home.

Shouldn't we all? Our Father paid us a visit too. Have we not been claimed? Adopted?... God searched you out. Before you knew you needed adopting, he'd already filed the papers and selected the wallpaper for your room.

Come Thirsty

Max Lucado

©2000 - 2007

Courtesy

Oak Hills Church

San Antonio, Texas

and NET-IMS, Inc.
________________________

Tricia has no idea how God used her to open my eyes into deeper truths about the life God has given me. The calling he has put into Wife and my lives to adopt, and I have said it a million times, is such a picture of our relationship with Jesus, as HE has hand picked us all and adopted us into Heaven through his death on the cross.

After reading this, I cried and I felt the love of God pour over me. What an amazing blessing I have been given. Any time now, I too will appear to take Tres, Cinco and Seite home. Their earthly daddy will be there to bring them to the home their Heavenly Daddy has ordained for them here on Earth. God has entrusted the lives of these 3 children to me and Wife to raise in His name and for the purposes only He knows. It's my prayer, that Wmilt and I will raise all of our children according to His will.

It's amazing to me how God just speaks to you, right through all distractions, right when you need it most. I've been struggling with having no father in my life. I have occasional email conversations with my dad, back in Massachusetts, but it isn't real. We never have had that Father/Son relationship every boy wants in life. I never knew my biological dad and my step-dad worked and had issues growing up. For whatever reason, this all has been on my heart and hurting for weeks.

I thank God for the very fact that even thought I can't pick up the phone to talk to a Dad here on earth, HIS phone never goes to voice mail. As a friend of mine says, and I just love it so much, he is my Papa. I have vowed to God, that I will too will live with a "Heart Headed Home".

I thank God for God. He used my friend to speak 2 truths into my life:

He has entrusted me to raise His children
I am His son and He loves me.

...All other ground is sinking sand...

Cowards of the Keyboard

2007-06-13T11:58:00.000-06:00

We had our yard sale this past weekend. Friends from work and church were just incredible and donated items for us to sell. We ended up making over 800 bucks towards adoption fees, which is an awesome blessing. Thanks to everyone who helped out or came by and shopped.

In preparation for the yard sale, Wife posted it out on the BuySellTrade Yahoo group, explaining it was to help raise money to bring our kids home from Africa. Who knew it was going to start such a problem? We got roasted something good by people asking who we were and how people could know we weren't trying to scam them?!?!?!?

Here are some snippets of emails we received:

"I'm so sorry, I just remembered that you outright tole me that this adoption didn't go through and how upset and sad you and your husband were about it. I'm not gonna start anything here, but I will end with this, if you are lieing (sp?) to me, how do the rest of the people in this group know weather or not you are even telling the truth about adopting at all? Just something for everyone to think about. I for one DONT believe in lying.

Victoria"

"I am interested in knowing if you are the person that has been accused of scamming members of buyselltrade in reference to your adoption. My feeling is if you need money to adopt three children then you can't afford them in the first place. I have three adopted children so I know how expensive it can be. But if what you are claiming is not true then the kind and generous people in the Mayberry area need to know. I will help get the word out and I will also help you clear your name if your claims for these children are ligitimate. Please let me know. Eldora

My Reply:
"Here is the deal folks...As the moderator has already mentioned, keep
your personal feelings off this board. While I find it commendable
that Victoria and Eldora feel the need to inquire about 1. the
authenticity of a member on the board and 2. the financial status of
a member, lets remember it's none of your business.

A yard sale is a yard sales folks. Would you rather a family raise
funds to offset some of the costs to give kids a home? Or is it more
acceptable in this "me me me" world to have a yard sale so you can
purchase a new big screen tv?

I find it so amusing that you will question a family for doing the
right thing, behind the privacy of the internet. You know the address
of the yard sale, so stop being cowards, stop on over to the yard
sale and ask your questions face to face.

Moderators: I apologize for posting this, but as the father of these
3 children in Liberia and the 4 children already home, I felt the
need to put a few people in their place. I fully expect this post to
be removed, so please do accept my apologies.

Last note to these keyboard cowards, I think proper etiquette for
questions of such personal nature, is to email the person privately
and not show how ignorant you are to the rest of the community.

Thank you for your time. And I thank those of you who came out to
help us with our adoption, you are true blessings.

Randy ."

Amazing. What kills me is not one of these Cyber Cops showed up to talk to us in person. Unfortunately for them (and me) I loooove arguing :) We got a bunch of emails, some supporting us saying we are doing the right thing, others telling us we are scam artists and too poor to adopt..blah blah blah. Thankfully I know we aren't in the business of making people happy, just our Father.

Make me think about Saul. When he was hunting down the believers, non-believers were cheering and supporting his efforts. As soon as God removed the shales from Saul's eyes and he started preaching the Good News, his supporters wanted him dead as well. I guess today it's ok to raise money for self pleasing reasons, but attempt to do God's work and Satan has full control over people and attacks.

That being said, it was fun going "Boston" on them. I'm still trying to figure out what "Going Boston" means, people at work tell me to "Go Boston" all the time. I tell them after I eat a huge lunch..."That's going Boston"....or when I finish my work..."That's going Boston"...or when I get cranky and grumpy...."That's going Boston". It's fun.

On a totally different note...I bought the Daughtry CD...Yes..Chris Daughtry...from American Idol...and it's awesome. I hate to admit that, because I promised myself to never buy an American Idol CD...and I did. And I may buy Blake Lewis' Cd as well.

What a girl I have become.
--
His lovingkindness is Everlasting

Couldn't Stay Away...

2007-06-11T14:12:00.001-06:00

Like a boomerang....I'm back.

I found myself thinking in terms of "that would be a great blog post" or "That's funny, I should post that". That and I have been "tagged" which I guess in the blogging world is like those goofy emails where you need to tell something about yourself and mail it everyone you know. The emails that irritate the junk out of everyone, yet everyone still reads them and does them (even if you don't email it out, you know you have thought about your answers to the questions in them....favorite ice cream, what's under your bed, chocolate or vanilla....)

So here, and I'm not proud to continue this tagging game along, but here are my 7 things you may not have known about me.

1. I used to have hair...and a lot of it. When I met Wife, I had a full head of hair and it was long enough to reach my chin.

2. Growing up, I had a dog named Buttons. Buttons was a mutt, but awesome. The last few years of her life, she had this weird fetish where she would rub her back on our coffee table and in the process removed all the hair from half way down her back to the end of tail.

3. In the 7th or 8th grade, I finally managed up the nerve to ask a girl out, in typical middle school fashion, via a long 3 page note, given to her by a friend. She promptly wrote me back a note which stated: "Randy, No. Janine". Not bad - 3 pages given for 3 words received.

4. I used to rush home from school so I could watch Santa Barbara. If you don't know who Eden and Cruz are, you are no friend of mine.

5. It was (and still kind of is) a dream of mine to be on Saturday Night Live. Up until about 3 years ago, I would practice writing stand up bits in hopes of someday having the nerve to do stand up comedy, just so I could be the next Dana Carvey or Mike Myers.

6. ESPN and the NFL Network aside - HGTV has quickly become my favorite channel on TV. I'm secure enough in my manhood to admit that...really I am.

7. When I was somewhere between 10 and 12, an eye doctor told me I needed glasses. I wanted nothing to do with them, so I asked them give me clear rimmed glasses, because I thought they would look invisible to people. They were the most gynormous and obvious things I have ever seen. I wore them for about 8 seconds and never wore them again. I also have pretty good eyes, so I think that doctor was a quack.

I guess this is where I "tag" someone else. Melissa....You Are It.
--
His lovingkindness is everlasting

Last Post

2007-04-19T08:58:00.000-06:00

Hi all...I've decided to stop blogging :). I'm not really sure what my purpose is in doing this and I find myself as the biggest reader of my own posts which is really bizarre :)

God is Good!

Easter...He is Risen Indeed

2007-04-08T14:22:00.000-06:00

So naturally my follow up post to my last "whoa is me, is God real" post is one about Easter :). To keep this real and (hopefully) short...You do realize that with out Easter Sunday, all this is a total farce and a sham? Without the resurrection of Jesus, we are just following the Bible as a nice life reference with no real solid foundation to it.

Our pastor spoke this morning about all of this "religion" stuff being a big fat lie if Jesus wasn't brought back from the grave 3 days later. Because Jesus was raised up after 3 days of being dead, we are truly saved from all our transgressions. How amazing is that and how blessed are we?

The torture, betrayal, beatings, lashings, whippings, humiliation, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A life no other man could have ever lived. A life that brought total and complete division to the world, yet that brought eternal freedom from the bondage's of this world.

Lord, I am in total awe of all you do. I publicly confess my life to you. I publicly confess my pettiness and selfishness in all of the things happening in life. You are the one in ultimate control and I am merely a sinner attempting to follow your direction. I thank Jesus for the cross, but more so I thank you for the resurrection of you from the dead. Without You Jesus, and without you being raised from the grave, I would be worth no more than any other animal on this earth. BUT through you and because of your deeds, I have life and a hope. I love you Lord.

He Has Risen INDEED! God is GOOD.

Wandering in the Desert

2007-04-06T11:18:00.000-06:00

Time to blog again. I haven't bored all 3 of you in a while and it's not because I haven't had thoughts, or things going on in life. It's just I have felt pretty removed from God lately and have been trying to pray and read my way through it all.

Losing those 3 kiddos crushed me more than I ever thought it would have. Which stinks because we are now in the process of trying to bring 2 little ones home. I am excited...but I am cautious. I don't feel like that is truely walking by faith, but I don't know how to just be overjoyed and excited about our new children, until I see them in the flesh in our arms. The 2 little guys are Blessing who is 2 or 3 years old and Messiah who is 5 months old. How exciting it'll be to have three boys in the house and one of them a baby. (I Love Babies...). As excited as it all can and will be...I just pray that these 2 are God's will for us.

It's such a weird time for us. I have been doubting the role God has in my life these last few weeks. Such great things are happening, while such hard things are happening too. It's so confusing. I feel like we are trying to be prepared for whatever new children God has for us by finding a home that is a little bigger or with more room in the yard and that doesn't have the safety issue of a pool that can't be fenced in. In doing so, we have had 2 houses lined up, but both have fallen through. We can't seem to sell our house which means we need to put offers in on houses with a contigence that our house will sell. The last house we lost (it has an acre of land, perfect for 6 or 7 kids to go and play in), had another offer come in with no contigencies, so naturally he accepted that offer and we had to back out. It felt like God had hand picked that property for us to raise His children, but of course I was wrong.

But then at work, I have been given a new job which has the potential to get me into a management position. My new job has me interacting with more people, being the sole person responsible for a piece of software the company uses, and I am on track to move out of a developers role (which I have never been a big fan of) and into a position of leading people. These are answered prayers, that really came out of nowhere. So this is amazingly good stuff.

So see, I'm so confused as to what the heck God's plans are. "Adopt these 3 children", "Here is a house to raise them in"...oh wait, never mind, these aren't your kids, a bigger home to raise them isn't needed (even though I led you there), here is another house, no wait never mind, here is a new job, here are 2 little guys. How is in the world does this all add up? I'm totally confused.

I keep praying for God's will...I think I "get" what it is we are supposed to do, then it's not what we are supposed to do at all. I know God's will rarely is on par with our will, I just want to do whats right by and for Him. Everytime I feel like we are, something else happens. Am I taking too much control over my life? Have I put my hand on the plow but looked back? (Luke 9:62).

All this being said, I am excited about what could be. I'm excited to see how this whole time in our lives is going to play out and what it is I am supposed to be learning. I know there is something here and really instead of coming on here and whining like the baby I am, I should be reading and praying and listening. How hard it is to focus on those things when you feel like you have been yet life doesn't seem to going the way you thought God wanted for you.

Till Next Time.

Still Here

2007-03-26T06:51:00.000-06:00

(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

2007-03-14T12:19:00.000-06:00

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

2007-03-09T13:26:00.000-06:00

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

2007-03-06T10:28:00.000-06:00

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

2007-03-01T15:30:00.000-06:00

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!

Testimony - Missions and Adoption

2007-02-23T15:25:00.000-06:00

Before I get to my last bit of testimony sharing, I wanted to write up a quick update about the adoption. We (Wife and I) are now waiting for the governments to do their piece. The Liberian and US governments have or will be receiving our applications and paperwork, woohoo! The finances piece of this adoption are falling into place, Thank You Lord. An unexpected grant (THANK YOU!!!!!) as well as other things here and there are making this adoption possible. God is so awesome when He tells you something, He means it. Amazing and Humbling.

---------------------

Wife has wanted a large family forever. I knew this getting into the relationship. What I also knew was: I was going to change that desire in her. I didn't want kids at all. We had Uno and I instantly had a love for someone that isn't even human, so at that point, I only wanted 1 child. 2 and 1/2 years later we had Dos and again I had that indescribable love for him. At this point I was content having maybe a half child more and a dog so we could the All-American family. With Wife having life threatening pregnancies, we followed the doctors advice and made it 97% probable that we wouldn't have anymore children naturally.

After Dos was born, Wife started the serious talk about adoption. I was seriously not listening :). I wanted nothing to do with it, I liked our life, I liked having stuff and I liked serving me. I wasn't living for God yet and I wasn't putting my all into my marriage. Life for us was going as good as it could considering 1 of us was dedicating her life to Jesus and another was dedicating His life to his own selfishness.

Years would go by before adoption became a reality. Wife and I would talk about it, attempt to bargain things for adoption ("Hey...when I get my truck we can adopt"...."When I have a big screen tv....you can adopt"), but in the end I still wouldn't budge on my desire to keep us a family of 4. It boiled down to I wasn't appreciating her amazing ability at being a mom, I wasn't being man enough to see God talking to us through her and I wasn't loving her enough to stop being so selfish.

As the years passed and I finally said to God YES I am living for you alone, my heart changed as well. I can't explain it except that God was at full work inside me. Wife and I worked through some amazing junk and finally, after all of our "negotiations", "discussions" and her deep prayers, I gave in. I didn't give in to her and her wants...I gave in to God pushing me to listen to him and understand: It's not all about you.

Having that talk with Wife, saying yes...lets adopt, felt like I was saying Yes to God and listening to His direction for our life. It hurts my man pride to say Wife heard God years before I even tried to listen, but that's not the point (I guess :) ). So we adopted. It wasn't an easy process. It took a failed placement of 2 little ones and numerous situations that seemed to be "the child for us" to only have them fall through. God made sure I understood that just because I heard His direction, it was still all in His hands and He was going to mold us and shape us both into the parents He wanted.

February of 2006, we finally brought home our 2 youngest daughters. And the love I have for the biological kids is there for them as well. It took time and adjustment but it's there and I can't imagine life without them. I didn't think a family of 6 was going to be as much fun as a family of 4...but as usual I was wrong :)

One Sunday in December of 2005, I went to church for the first time alone. Wife and the kids were sick, but I felt a need to go, which was a first for me. I was saved but still trying to find my way. At the beginning of the service, our pastor got up and starting talking about the unreached of the world. He talked about the millions who haven't had a chance to understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us. He talked for about 10 minutes or so about this, and I could feel God stirring in me. This was the first time since surrendering my life, that God really grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me to the core. I was sweating, shaking and confused for that whole service. Afterwards I went to talk to the pastor about how I could help or what I could do. He wrote down the name of the Missions director, who happened to work 4 offices down from me at the same company!!!!

This started a life changing journey. I ended up on the European Mission team at our church. In October God afforded me the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Romania. While gearing up for that trip, a team to go to Liberia was being formed. I felt that pull from God to put my name on the sign up sheet. I knew I wouldn't get chosen since I was getting ready for a trip to Romania. Again...I was wrong. I interviewed and God showed his sense of humor by putting me on that team as well. In a 3 month period I'd spend 10 days in Romania and 10 days in Liberia.

Romania was a life changing adventure. It opened my eyes to the ways of life in other parts of the world. It was my first trip out of the country and God showed me what he wanted me to do for life. I've been called by God to share Him with all I meet, be it in Romania or my home town. He showed me that God is God everywhere and it doesn't matter what language you speak or what you pray about, He is God.

Liberia was a trip that brought us to see the realities of civil war and economical hardships. God again showed himself through these people. The love He has for them is so clear by their desire to give Him all the glory for all they do have. Being there also opened my eyes to the needs they have and how much we do have in this country.

So when Wife started talking adoption again...it didn't take 5 years for me to understand what needed to be done. God brought me to Liberia for a reason. He opened my eyes and heart to those in need. It made perfect sense when we prayed about adoption again, that we were drawn to Liberia. As most of you know, we'll be adopting 3 kids this year from Liberia. I can't wait to get them home and start the process of being a family of 9!

God is so amazing and good. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if he can change me....ANYONE can be saved and enjoy the life of a relationship with Him. It isn't always easy...especially with those you know from your past life, who question and doubt who you are. But it doesn't matter...All that matters is serving our King and Lord, Jesus Christ.

God is Good!

Testimony - A New Life

2007-02-22T12:43:00.000-06:00

Wife and I move alot. We are currently in our 4th house in 6 years. In November of 2003 we moved to Oxford Massachusetts and started going to CrossPoint church. I was so uncomfortable looking for a new church. And when I say I was uncomfortable looking for a new church, I mean I was uncomfortable with Wife looking for a new church. I took no interest in finding one. As much as god was starting to stir in me, I was ready to drop this whole "church" thing and not go anymore. BUT, low and behold she found a church similar to CrossWay in our last town. So we went, some of us more begrudgingly then others.

This was the first taste of God showing is humor and power. He moved us from a place I was comfortable being one of the faces in the crowd, to Touchy/Feely Central. The pastor there, Jeff...he freaked me out to no end. He's a hyper, huggy, jumping up and down, outwardly a Jesus Freak. Here I am, just barely getting comfortable with the idea of church, and now this guy would tell me he loves me, hug me, ask about my family and work. In a word - "Nut Job". (ok that's 2 words, but you get the point). I was ready to quit but once again, Uno and now Dos kept me going. I never want to disappoint my kids and wife. I have many times, probably will a few more times, but I knew I wouldn't have been a disappointment to them if I kept going, even if my heart wasn't fully in it.

Jeff turned out to be one of the key reasons I accepted Jesus. All that freaked out nonsense turned into a real deep respect. I still never showed I was into all the stuff the church was doing, but every Sunday we would be there and I would be soaking it all in. We stayed at that church for just about 2 years until we moved (again). I had accepted a job in Mayberry and we were moving out of New England for the first time.

About that job in Marberry: A Divine Move by God. Wife and I couldn't afford the bills and cost of living where we were. In September or October of 2004, I started to look for a new job. I wanted to work with one software so that's all I did my job searches on. Fast forward to March of 05, with no real leads on a job. I gave in and did 1 search for the software I did not want to work with anymore, applied to 2 of the jobs I found. A week later Wife and I are on the plane to Mayberry to interview for the job I eventually took.

As we prepared to move to Mayberry, we were cleaning out our house for the move. I brought a bunch of donation items over to the church and I had a short, but life changing talk with Jeff. I apologized to him for never being the religious type and for always being so quiet and non responsive to him and the church. He talked to me for a little while and told me, and these words will stay with me forever, “It’s not how religious you are, it’s how your relationship with Him is”. (to many, this may be the most "whatever" statement, or full of so much common sense, but for me then and even now, it was like someone took the blindfold off.

Those words stuck with me as I drove by myself to Mayberry, to start my new job. Wife and the kids would meet me down there a few weeks later. That 4 day drive down from Massachusetts to Texas ended up being me and God having a 4 day conversation. I gave my life to Jesus on that trip. Each night in whatever hotel I was staying in, I would be reading something from the bible, trying to figure out what I just accepted. I'd end up thinking about how real Ron was. I'd think about the passion Jeff portrayed. I'd think about how Andy and Wife changed, but didn't change (if that makes sense). I'd pray about Jesus up on that cross. It was an amazing 4 days. I want to say it was totally quiet and solemn, but I had Metallica and Korn playing in the background. :) It's was and still is a life long process!

Life didn’t change too dramatically for me right away. I was more comfortable going to church. I actually looked forward to finding a church with Wife , instead of her finding it and I just tag along. In the 2 years or so that I've been focusing on Jesus, Wife and my lives have changes so much. We've adopted 2 little girls. I've cleaned out my closet with my wife and God saved a marriage. I've been on a few mission trips. We are adopting again :).

Those are all nice and fine...but the most important thing I see that has happened is Wife and I are trying to make decisions for God and not for us. We focus on God and our family. Wife pretty much always has focused on the family...I was so focused on me. God has really moved me to clean up my act. And while I'm still a sinner (aren't we all)...my eyes are focused up and not around.

--GOD'S AWESOMENESS DURING THESE TIMES--

Did you read that I spent 4 days talking to him :) How amazing is that? God picked me and my family up from Massachusetts and all the distractions that were pulling us away from Him (or in my case, the distractions keeping me from Him) and He plopped us down in the middle of nowhere. Literally...We are about 5 hours away from any major cities. But He knew, and we understand that this is what was needed.

I pray that this story will inspire someone who isn't in a relationship with Jesus to see: If God can save a sorry, selfish, self serving person like me, He more than wants to have that intimate 1 on 1 relationship with you. And for those who have fallen away...No matter what you may have done, not done, how quiet it may be or how noisy it seems...He's still there and he's waiting for you to come back home.

My last post about my testimony will be directly related to missions and adoption.

God is Good!

Testimony - Transformation Begins

2007-02-20T11:20:00.000-06:00

Wife and I were married on June 26th, 1999, but not before enduring a lot of past issues I brought into the relationship. Anger and depression were the focus of my life, until Wife got pregnant in 1998. During that pregnancy, she almost died (as did the 26 week fetus, later known as Uno!) due to complications. It’s at this time that the reality of something else was at play in this world. I want to say I hit my knees and prayed, but I didn't. But it was the first time I remember thinking, IF there is a God, I hope he's working up there to fix this.

After being married for 2 years or so, we moved out of our first apartment together into our first house. It was about this time that Wife started to go to church with her brother and fully gave her life over to Jesus. As she started to grow in her relationship with God, she made sure to go every Sunday taking Uno with her. I used staying home with our young son as my excuse for not going. But in reality, I was just totally uninterested in the whole church scene. I wasn't religious...and those words would come back to slap me in the face a few short years later.

In January 2002, my father called me and told me my mother was dead. She was living with my sister and her mother in a double wide up in Maine and she was found face first on the floor. What an enormous kick in the stomach. Even though she said she wasn't drinking, I knew she was an alcoholic. I just had no idea she was close to dying because of it. We are told she had an ammonia burst in her brain, due to cirrhosis of the liver. Cleaning out her home, we found empty bottles under her bed. That totally broke my heart. She and I had so much unresolved conflict and situations. Mostly around her drinking and me needing to be away from that and not putting my young family into situations to be around it. She thought I didn't love her anymore and didn't want her to know my children. How so far from the truth. I was so mad at her for just up and dying on us without working with me to fix it all. It's my prayer now that she did know Jesus and she is worshipping our king. I know our "issues" are resolved now and I just pray I can have time to worship with her someday.

I hated church. I hated the awkwardness of it, I hated the staleness of it. I hated the hugging and touching. I hated the singing. I would sweat and feel sick and uncomfortable. It didn't help that for the most part, the only churches I ever set foot in were Catholic. (sweet depression!) I stayed home while Wife went to church every week. She didn't push me, but she made sure I knew she didn't approve.

As time went on, the onslaught from these "Bible Thumpers" (by bible thumpers I mean my wife and her brother) happened more often. Wife and I would "discuss" the bible and I'd have every reason in the world why it was fake. One time in particular that stands out to me, was a night at the dining room table. It was me, Wife and Andy (her brother) and we would just go back and forth...it was an amazing debate. I'd get so upset inside, but still push forward with my thoughts and views. I remember saying so many bad things about the stories, the realness of the bible and about Mary and Joseph (I still apologize Lord for those thoughts.).

As Dos (our son) got to an age where I couldn't use him as my "reason" for staying home, as well as Uno being older and questioning why I wasn't going with them, I finally had to go to church. Uno is the most amazing little girl and is the biggest reason I am the slave to Christ I am. If she wasn't so in touch with God at such a young age and wasn't so concerned over me not going, I don't know if I would have gone at all.

CrossWay church in Nashua New Hampshire is where I first heard about Jesus in a church setting. I had heard about Him all the time from my wife and her brother, but when I would be in a church, I never paid any attention. This church though, is where my curiosity was peeked. I wasn’t looking to become “religious” (that word again), so I just listened and in doing so I started to become interested. The pastor (Ron) at that church was the first “religious”(that word just keeps following me) person I had seen that was what I would have considered normal. This guy would talk about sports and his kids and the normal parts of life. It was all about Jesus, but he was so open with his human qualities. I didn’t think much of it then, but I think about that a lot when I look back on my journey to find Christ. I give so much credit to certain people (and 1 God), but this one pastor up in Nashua NH has no idea how much he influenced me and my thoughts/impressions of Christianity.

I'd like to say it was here I gave it all to God...but I was and still am a stubborn little boy. I'd still hang out at church quietly, arms folded and not very personable. BUT, the seed was planted....

--GOD'S AWESOMENESS DURING THESE TIMES--
Wife didn't die. How understated is that. She was given her last rights by the priest in that hospital when she was in preterm labor with Uno. She didn't die and neither did Uno. Wife and I sinned by having premarital sex, yet Our God blessed us with an amazing daughter who was instrumental in bringing Wife and I to Him. Words can't even begin to describe the awe I feel when I think about this.

When my mother passed away, I was so absolutely angry with her. What a dark time. It was a perfect opportunity for Satan to take control of me. I wasn't ready to hear Jesus...but He was there to guide me through those issues. Through my amazing wife and children, God more than gave me a reason to continue trying to be the "good person" I always thought I was. But He knew...He knew I would come to Him a broken man and turn all I have in this world over to Him.

God also knew what it was going to take to get me open my eyes to Him. He put Wife and I into a church that showed the truths about Him. Had He not put us in CrossWay Church but rather some dry church or another catholic church, I know I would have quit. But instead we were sitting in a seat (not a pew) and listened to this Pastor talk about football and his children and wife. God uses all things of this world, to remove us from this world. (if that makes sense)

Final part tomorrow.

God is Good!

Testimony - Meeting Wife

2007-02-18T14:46:00.000-06:00

After my parents divorced, my mother, brother, sister and I lived in that same house for a few years. My mother had started to date other guys and at various times they lived with us. Pretty awkward, having to answer to some guy who didn't know me from any other kid. It was at this time that my mother started to drink. She never really got into the drinking business, at least that I knew of, when my parents were married.

He boyfriends were awful influences on her. And who knows what kind of influence she had on them. After a year or so of dating and drinking and not working, our house was being foreclosed on. She and her boyfriend had started to renovate the house, and the logical place to start was the bathroom, naturally pulling up the floors. I was about a 1/2 year away from graduating high school. So being the mature mom she was, she allowed me to stay living in the house, while she and my siblings moved in with her boyfriend. For about 6 months or so, I lived in an abandoned house with no electricity, no hot water and a dirt floor in the bathroom.

After I graduated high school, I moved in with my grandmother for a few months and then with a friend. I eventually got a job working security and got an apartment with 2 of my best friends. This is the time that I met the most beautiful girl in the world, who would one day become my wife.

God changed my life forever on June 17th, 1995. My buddy and I were out "cruising for chicks" and we were following this car with 2 girls in it. They wouldn't stop to talk to us. This went on for a good 15 minutes or so. We didn't realize that there was a car with 2 girls following US around. Once we noticed that, we aborted our mission and pulled over. It was GO time...time put on some sweet moves on these 2 lovely ladies.

I didn't say a word when I got out of the car to talk :) My buddy did all the talking and as much as I love him to pieces, they weren't impressed. The girls took our numbers down and wrote "dorks" next to them. But, for whatever reason, Wife called me (actually paged me...love the 90's). Lets remember I was the fat smelly kid in high school...just coming into my own as a young man. I hadn't had too many girlfriends in my life. And holy smokes, this amazingly beautiful girl, who I didn't say a word too, called me. If that doesn't show God is watching out for us all, I don't know what will!!!!

We went on our first date on June 22nd and were officially dating on June 25th. We spent everyday together and really have ever since. And I mean that literally, everyday. People thought it wasn't right that an almost 17 year old and almost 19 year old should spend so much time together, but it just felt right and natural. She was the first person who just loved me for me. It was an amazing feeling (and still is.)

She helped me through so much emotional baggage, pushing me and guiding me through counselling. She persevered through my anger issues, control issues, my hatred towards anyone not named Wife and many other things that I brought to the table. She'll tell you it wasn't easy. It didn't help that neither of us were really seeking the Lord at those times.

--GOD'S AWESOMENESS DURING THESE TIMES--
While my mother was dating and drinking, she'd "let" me take her car out on the weekends, when I didn't even have my license. Crazy! I think about how many times I should have been pulled over or maybe gotten into accidents, yet none of that happened. God watched over me and made sure I didn't get into too much trouble.

God is so amazing and good. The 1 blessing I thank God for more than any other (besides His dying on the cross) is the blessing of Wife. He brought to me the absolute PERFECT person for me for that time in my life. I'd like to think that for that time in Wife's life, I brought something to the table as well, but in reality it was mostly about my issues. Most girls would have had said thanks, but no thanks. Most girls would have dated me for a summer and moved on when school started back up. But not Wife, she had the right temperament, heart, dreams, desires, loving tenderness to put up with and, in Christian terms, "walk with me". I think about where I'd be had I met anyone else...and I always think I'd be drinking, smoking, drugging...doing who knows what for work.

(and for the record...I have tears in my eyes writing this...Thank you so much Lord!!!!....and if you are reading this: Thank You Wife...you will never know how you saved my life and help mold me into the person I am now. No words can ever express how lost I'd be without you.)

More later....

God is Good!

Testimony - The Early Years

2007-02-17T11:12:00.000-06:00

I came to accept Jesus in April of 2005. Coming to terms with my role as a slave to God took some time for me to believe and embrace. This is my story of Gods incredible love, and how He watched over me, even when I wasn’t anywhere near ready to believe that I wasn’t in control.

Growing up, my family and I never went to church on a regular basis. We would go on an occasional Christmas or Baptism or Wedding, but religion and God were not a focus in our house. Having a relationship with God was never talked about or encouraged. That being said, it wasn’t ever discouraged either. Living life for or against God just wasn’t anything that was ever discussed, thought about or attempted.

I grew up in the small town of Bellingham Massachusetts. The oldest of 3 children, I have one brother and one sister. My mother was a stay at home mom and my step-father worked in various warehouses. Growing up I knew my step-father as my only dad, as my mother had me out of wedlock and I had never known who my biological father was. Actually I still don't know to this day. I was always told one man was my father, but when my mother passed away, I was told by my grandmother that he probably wasn't. They had told me for 25 years that he was, because he was white and the other guy who could be my dad, he was a dark Italian or Portuguese or something like that. Beee-zare.

When I was younger, under 10 years old, I had a baby sitter (her name was Angel ironically), who would touch me inappropriately. I was her play toy for a few years. I didn't understand what it was all about, I enjoyed the attention I got from her, but hated the feelings. I don't know if I ever told my parents about that, but those are some interesting memories.

The man I grew up calling Dad, but in reality was my step-father, married my mom when I was 18 months old. My mom was a stay at home mom and my dad worked in various warehouses growing up. We didn't have a lot of money or space. By the time I was 11 or 12 we were living in a 1 bedroom house. There was 7 of us in that house and anywhere from 15-30 cats at any given time. When I was 16, the police came to my house and took my dad away. It was then I found out he was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. The police were taking him away to 30 day rehab center.

This explained alot of the fighting my parents did and the intense beatings my brother and I would receive with a large metal spoon. It used to be with the wooden spoons, but as my dad said, he was tired of breaking them on us. As I got older (teen years) the spoon beatings stopped, but my dad and I would get into large screaming and physical confrontations. My dads addiction also brought clarity to the bag I found in linen closets with mirrors and straws. It also made sense why he'd spend so much time in the shed we had. He'd stash his liquor and beer out there.

At the same time, my mother was always the one in the house to give in to us kids. She was my best friend for years. But at the same time, she had a crazy fascination with cats and as I mentioned before, we had anywhere from 15 to 30 in our house at a time. So many animals, and not the greatest work ethic in the house led to years of teasing and low self esteem from 7th to 11th grade. I was, simply put, the fat smelly kid who was teased by nearly everyone in school. Those 5 years were the hardest days of my entire life.

My parents got divorced when I was 16 or so. My dad cleaned up his act and realized that the living situation we were in wasn't right. He attempted to remove the cats and clean the house and bring some order to things. And for a small amount of time we actually had what some would consider the normal house situation. We were all cramped in there, but it was clean, organized and half way decent. My mother couldn't stand the living without her cats. There were so many other things between my parents that I'll never know, nor care to know, but in the end: They divorced.

I'm going to stop there for now. By no means is this either 1. fabricated or embellished or more importantly 2. being told for anything other than to bring glory to Our Father. See, as tough as those times were, they were there for a reason. Jesus came and died for us. Who am I to complain about some hardships? I'm alive, I have an amazing wife and family, I'm happy. God has blessed me a thousand times over.

As I continue my life story, I'm going to pick out the times I realized God was watching out for me and what I thank Him for in my life. I grew up with an alcoholic, and while there was physical hurts there, I wasn't killed like some families. I didn't fall into the traps of some alcoholic families, where I turn to booze. God granted me the strength and wisdom to turn my back from drinking, smoking and drugs my entire life...even though I wasn't hearing Him direct me.

One of the nights my babysitter was watching us, and I had had enough of the touching and games, I decided to get away from her. At the time we were living on the 3rd floor of 3 story house. I couldn't get to the door, so I climbed out the window, onto the ledge which was no more than 12 inches wide. I walked around 2 or 3 sides of the house to get to the porch so I could leave. God was with me then...making sure I didn't misstep or hit a weak section. He saved me from falling 3 stories.

God also pushed me through each day of high school. I didn't drop out or not try my hardest. I had a desire to go each day, and that desire was not of my own doing. God prodded me along. What a life lesson I have now, looking back on those days.
Sorry, this is so much longer than I anticipated!

God is so Good!

If I Had Only Know Then...

2007-02-15T22:22:00.000-06:00

*Adoption Update - We are closer to having Maggy, JD and Isaac home. The social worker met up with their parents in Liberia and verified that they understand what adoption means and that they wanted to go through with having their children adoption. That is a huge relief. We are paper or 2 away from having all the paperwork complete. After that we need to wait for clearance from both governments. It's getting closer though! I'll keep you all up to date as things happen.

-----------------

So I am in total awe. I'm in Dallas for some work related training and I am out here with a coworker who is a great guy. I've been getting to know him more as we begin to work together (I'm switching job roles at work, same work, different software). He and I got to talking at dinner last night, and my whole life story/testimony came out. It wasn't an intentional "time to preach" conversation. It just was a part of the conversation...a natural thing for me to talk about with him as we shared parts of our growing up lives with each other.

I'm in awe because, when I was growing up, if I had known then what I know now, it would have made it more bearable to live back then. God has been so AMAZING to me, even when I wasn't thinking about Him, living for Him, caring about Him. I'm humbled to tears when I think about it. He has watched over me, picked me up, moved me out of harms way, allowed me to make mistakes and He has loved me for my entire life, even when I wasn't loving Him.

I've been praying about this, and I feel like it's the right thing to do. Over the next few days, I'm going to write out my testimony on here. I don't know why I feel like I need to, but I feel like it's the right thing to do. Many of you know the story of how God has worked in my life, some don't. It's my prayer that, as you read it, you will think about all God has done in your life and give Him all the thanks, praise and glory.

I pray God's blessing on all who stop by and keep up with the the happenings in my and my families life.

God is Good!

Lucky Number 7

2007-02-01T09:48:00.000-06:00

7...what a number. 1 more than 6, 1 less than 8. So good a number that Boston Bruins great Ray Bourque wore 2 of them on his hockey jersey (77). Seven...so good that it's the "luckiest" number of them all. There are 7 days in a week and 7 dwarfs who help snow white. Charles Dickens was born on Feb 7th (1812). Matches were first sold on April 7th (1827 in England). Billy Graham was born on Nov 7 (1918). 7...what a great number.

I got to thinking about all the books in the Bible that have a 7th chapter. (thank you Jon for the idea) In each of them a command or vital life teaching is taught. I've listed some of them below. God commands, We listen. That's what life is right? I'm sure you wondering why I am going on and on about the number 7? Well it is 2007. And what a better way to celebrate the "lucky" number 7...then by having 7 children :) God willing we will indeed have that many. 2 Biological, 2 domestically adopted and 3 adopted from Liberia. Augustus' parents were tracked down and they relinquished their rights to him...as well as his 5 year old brother and 8 year old sister. Guess who will probably be coming to live with us? Yep, Augustus (2 or 3 yrs old) and his 5 year old brother and 8 year old sister.

Taking a step in obedience of the Lord is sometimes easy (Mathew 7 - don't judge others), sometimes it's hard (Judges 7 - Hey Gideon, go slay an army with only 300 men) and sometimes it so over your head and out of the realms of understanding (Genesis 7 - Yea Noah, God here and I'm thinking about drowning out everything I created, so how about you go build a boat, put your family on it and every animal, bird and crawly thing. Oh why don't you stay on there until I tell you it's clear to get off of it. Super, thanks!).

If God provides these 3 new children to us, I will categorize this blessing/command as totally over my head. That being said, if you were feeling the need to pray for something, feel free to pass up a prayer of peace and sanity over our house. I don't like asking for prayers, but this adventure we are about to embark on, it's larger than any one we have ever been on. God has put us at ease about this decision, but that doesn't mean it'll be easy or doubt won't creep in. I pray that he will continuously prepare our hearts and minds for the naysayers, the adversity, the stress, the good times, the bad times, the funny looks of strangers, the gossip, the financial obligations, the nights of tears, the nights of giggles, the dances, the games, the unity of our family.

I'll be writing more about this as the process goes along.

Psalm 7:17 (of course it's 7:7teen) - I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

God is Good!

---Some of the Chapter 7's from the Bible------

Genesis 7 - God commands Noah to build the ark
Exodus 7 - God commands Moses and Aaron to say everything He commands them. God commands Aaron to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of Egypt
Numbers 7 - God commands Moses to accept offerings at the Tent of Meeting and give them to the Levites as required
Deuteronomy 7 - God gives His command to Israel for driving out the nations
Joshua 7 - God commands Joshua to remove from Israel that which is devoted to destruction
Judges 7 - God commands Gideon to defeat the midianites with 300 men
2 Samuel 7 - God promises David that his name will be made great, and God will establish a house for him.
2 Chronicles 7 - God commands Solomon to observe His commands and decrees. In return God promises to establish Solomon’s royal throne
Nehemiah 7 - God commands Nehemiah to assemble those who will return
Ecclesiastes 7 - God teaches us about wisdom
Zechariah 7 - god commands Zechariah to love, show mercy and do not think evil of each other
Matthew 7 - Jesus teaches on judging others and if you ask you shall receive, knock and the door will be opened
Luke 7 - Jesus teaches that through faith He will heal, raise the dead and bless us
John 7 - Jesus teaches that all who believe in Him, the streams of living water will flow from within him
Acts 7 - The prophet is quoted "The earth in my footstool, Has not my hand made all these things?"

Tow Mater Award

2007-01-28T18:31:00.000-06:00

Mystery weekend is over. Mystery weekend is a weekend for the youth at our church, where they spend the weekend with a group of kids from the same grade, in homes of leaders who pour into their lives. Lots of activities, music/worship and teachings are done through out the weekend. We helped out this year. Wife made some large dinner rolls and cupcakes. I helped out with "security" and setting up rooms.

Anyway, one of the main themes of the weekend was "who are you" and "what is your identity"? Great teachings...Are you identified by your beauty, popularity, job...or are you identified by your relationship with Jesus? Great stuff.

I of course, found myself thinking about my identity. What I did come up with is, I am definitely NOT a person who identifies himself based on the prototypical "manly" traits. Dos had his boy scout, pinewood derby on Saturday. This is where the boys build cars out of pine, that weighs no more than 5 ounces, and they race them. Dos and I built a car (by build I mean we bought a kit and put it together). We went up and at weigh in time his car was 6.8 ounces. So we took the weight we had on it off, which brought it down to 4.8 ounces. Not bad we thought.

Fast forward to race time. A 4 lane race track, each kid races once on each lane and their average time/speed is calculated and used to determine the winners. Dos's group was the first group. And they're off....only Dos's car didn't even make it to the finish line!!! All the other cars averaged about 160 miles per hour. Literally, it's all computerized and that's the speed that came up for them. Except Dos's....99 MPH. ugh! One of the guys running the race, asked if I had put any graphite on his wheels?

It was at this point I realized, if I were to sit down right now, and take two tests. Test A being the MAN test and test B being the WOMAN test...I'd pass the woman test with flying colors. I do know you need to grease the pan when making a cake, or the colors of your shoes should match your belt. I don't know how to wire a house for surround sound or that you put stinking graphite on a race car. Isn't graphite in a stinking pencil. Good grief.

Moral of the story #1: Dos got a large trophy, called the Tow Mater award (from cars the movie) for having the SLOWEST car of all 60 or so cars that raced. He was so excited. :) All he cared about was the size of the trophy...sure winning would have gotten him a large trophy, but so did coming in dead last. He asked me to help him build the slowest car again next year!!!

Moral of the story #2: How do you identify yourself? All the things you may identify yourself as, a mom, a dad, husband, doctor, popular, pastor, cop, smart, pretty...they all are things that will fail you. Every single one of them. Once you are living your life for Jesus, that's what identifies you, or should identify you. I know for me, God hasn't blessed me as manly man, or a crafty guy, or mechanically inclined. He has blessed me with the gift of being a donkey, He has blessed me with an amazing family and friends, He has blessed me with a steady job.

I get caught up in being the funny guy, a dad, a friend, a developer...and it's time for me to be radical and break through my "identity crisis" and be identified as a Christian. God's blessed me with all of those things as tools to glorify Him, not glorify myself.

How about you...do people look at you or hear you speak and know you are serving the lord with all you do? Do you use those gifts He has given you, for His greater glory?

Oh and remember....when building a pine car racer...put graphite on the axles. Even I could have told you that! I've known that for like 36 hours now. Very manly!

God is Good!

Can You Stop the Power of...

2007-01-23T08:34:00.000-06:00

THE YAWN!!!

I defy you to look at these pictures, and NOT yawn. It can't be done! (And if you do succeed, you need to tell me, so I can call you the dirty liar you are!) Why the heck is that? I did some research and no one really has a good theory as to why we yawn when we see others yawning. It always made me giggle when I took the train to work, you'd see it like, well like a train of people yawning. One starts and it would go on for like 10 or 15 people.

---

We had the home study last night, another step in the process of bringing another baby home. I'll be honest, I despise that part of the process. The entire growing up story has to come out and regardless if I'm 30 or 130 it'll still suck having to talk about my youth. God's awesome in how he used all the junk to mold me into who I am, but there are still feelings in there about my family.

But really who doesn't have something from childhood of their family that they don't cringe about. I guess it comes down to the fact that every generation has a chance to break the cycle of family junkness. This isn't to say you won't start a new cycle of something odd or bizarre. I just mean, for me personally its a chance to raise children without the influence of drugs/alcohol/pornography/verbal or physical abuse. God's so cool to give me the opportunity to right my families wrongs, while still giving me room to make my own mistakes as a parent.

Well this episode of Dr. Phil has been brought to you by Cyber Depends....for those who have diarrhea of the blog

FYI: I have decided, if I ever change my name, it's totally going to be "Awesome". I just want to introduce myself: "Hi, I'm Awesome"

God is Good!

1 Down...How Many More to Go???

2007-01-16T00:48:00.000-06:00

So as many already know, and for those who don't know...Augustus, as of right now, will not be coming into our family. As seasoned veterans of the game of adoption, it should not have come as a surprise, which it didn't. BUT surprised or not, the sting is still there. I pray for him and whatever family he has that will be apart of his life.

That all being said, I got to thinking and reading and praying. In doing so my favorite story in the bible "popped" into my head, so I turned to it and read it again. The Prodigal Son has so many great things to it, yet for me right now, it was a perfect call for me to be excited and ready. For those who don't know the story or want to read it again, it's here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015:11-32;&version=49;

Reading through it, it doesn't pertain exactly to not bringing home another child. But it did make me think about how excited and happy God is when we return to Him after turning our backs on him. In the same way the father in the Prodigal son parable is looking for his son to return (20But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.), I too will be ready to run to my new son and embrace him and make him an official part of our family.

This story goes on to talk about how the father has the fattened calf killed to eat. I can't promise I'll be busting out the old calf killing...maybe I can make him some grilled cheese or something :)

God is Good people...even when it feels like life is blah...He is Still Good...I'd even go as far to say...He's Perfect. (bold I know...but that's what I am...a risk taker)

God is Good!

It's a Trifecta!

2007-01-13T22:43:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post...Uno is having her sleep over. Too many snacks mixed with staying up too late equals...yep, honka-honka-chunk-chunk....again.

Christmas, New Years and birthday. Great part is...we have a full 12 months to wait for this all to happen again!

For those who don't get Randy-speak...Uno threw up again tonight. Just like Christmas and just like New Years.

Nothing could ever warm my heart more...then cleaning warm semi-processed food off the floor.

I'm Baaaack

2007-01-12T08:40:00.000-06:00

The mission trip is officially over. Mike arrived last night at 9:30. At exactly 10:23 I began the process of turning from a beast to man again. (I use the term "man" very loosely). We took some pictures to show the before and after looks.

Mike - I love you man and can't wait to go on another trip with you...but I am NOT waiting to shave again!!!

ARE YOU TIRED OF HAVING HAIR??

EVEN THOUGH YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE HAIR?

IS YOUR HAIR MAKING YOU FEEL CONSTANTLY CONSTIPATED?

ARE YOU AN EXTREMIST? WELL THEN BUY A RAZOR!!
HOW RELIEVED YOU WILL FEEL!!!UNFORTUNATELY FOR SOME, YOU'LL STILL HAVE THE MUG GOD "BLESSED" YOU WITH

(I felt like I was putting together a cheesy infomercial :) )

God is Good!!!!

Well That Was FAST!!!

2007-01-11T18:33:00.000-06:00

So as a quick follow up to my last post...you know listening to God...bringing another baby home...all that jazz. Yea God is pretty darn fast. Wednesday Night at around 4pm or so, Wife got a call from Pastor Wesley. Long story short - We are starting the process on a little guy!! 2 year old Augustus was dropped off at Pastor Wesleys house and his mom relinquished the rights to him. So God gave me about 20 hours or so to digest the fact that we are adopting again.

I think at times, God forgets that I like to make the jokes...I don't like it when he makes the jokes!! Sweet Gracious.

God is Good!

What's Your Story

2007-01-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

"If you cannot stand up and share how you came into a relationship with our Lord, then your Christianity should be questioned!"

God spoke this one truth straight to my heart one night as we were in Romania talking to our friend Doru. He has been doing God's work for almost 20 years now in the Romanian orphanages, children's homes and prisons. Doru appreciated the willingness we had as a team to share Jesus with the children, through skit, bible teaching and personal testimonies. I had been so nervous that whole trip to get up in front of a large group of people, in a foreign country, to share "my" story of salvation. (is it really my story...or just another chapter in the book of Life Jesus has already written?). I prayed over that statement Doru made and it put my heart at ease, knowing it's part of my job as a Christian to share Jesus with the world. For me, a HUGE part of that is my life and story of salvation.

I still get a little shaky inside when asked to share my testimony with people. But I also look forward to sharing my story with anyone who wants to hear it. God used so many different things in my life to bring me to Him. Who am I to judge how moving my little story is or how big of an impactful it can make? He will use my story as needed. He will use your story as well.

We watched "How I Met Your Mother" last night. It's a typical show of the world, about boozing it up, sexing it up and just living for "me". (see "crier" post). Last nights episode was all about each character telling their stories. These stories were about when they lost their virginity. They were so eager and willing to share their stories of teenage, premarital sex. Am I one to judge on that subject? I don't think so. It just struck my so ironic that the world, the world that Christians are to be the salt and light to, is so willing to talk about THEIR feelings, THEIR experiences, THEIR ambitions.

How willing are we to share how God has changed our lives? Do we find it easy to talk about OUR feelings, OUR experiences, OUR ambitions which the Lord has blessed us, transformed us and guides us with?

Something that is so easily overlooked: The great Paul, writer of all those little books at the end of the bible, He was a Christian killer. He was hand picked and transformed by Jesus, just like we are and Saul took HIS testimony and used that to spread the Word of God, just like we are to do.
-----------------------------------------------

So...for the record...I never intended this Blog space to be all preachy and whatever. These are the thoughts that have been coming to mind lately. I will at some point get some more humor on here or sports or something...I think :)

God is Good!

Video of Our New Daughters

2007-01-08T21:17:00.000-06:00

Galatians 4:4-5 - But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, burn under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

I've talked about my thoughts about adoption and how it is a living picture of our relationship with God, through the sacrifice of Jesus. I found the above bit of scripture while having some quiet time this week. These few verses again, solidified in me, that we have nothing if Jesus did not come and die for our sins. We are adopted into His kingdom through the sacrifice He made for us.

We have been thinking about adoption, again. Anyone who knows me, knows I drop my head, I roll my eyes, I groan and I sigh whenever Wife talks about adoption. But I can't deny the fact that, through Wife's heart for children and her desire to have a large family, God has opened my heart to more kids. I am beyond amazed by how God can change a mans heart, but I can attest he has changed mine.

That being said, we'll be updating the home study, filing the paper work and praying over babies and situations. I have absolutely no idea how in the world we will pay for it, find room for him or her, have room in our vehicle to transport the family. I just know it feels right and if adopting is meant to be, Our savior will figure all that out and let me know about it when the time is right. To me it sounds like such a christian cliche, but I feel like we are taking a huge leap of faith. All I know is He is telling my heart, don't let him or her spend another night alone.

He's opened my eyes to the happiness a family brings to all of it's members. He's also shown me the loneliness and sadness of being alone. He's shown me this in my personal life, but more so through my time at Recas Orphanage in Romania and the Greater Love Children's Home in Liberia. God has blessed me with decent money, shelter, an amazing wife and family, eternal salvation and a fire to spread his word and love to all who will listen. How can I turn my back on a little one, when I have the means to open my heart to him or her.

None of this sounds like anything I have ever said. :) And no, I'm not drunk.
God is Good!

Shut Your Crier

2007-01-07T13:12:00.000-06:00

Shut Your Crier. That's what I say to my kids when they are in one of those nonstop crying fits. Usually they are crying about something silly or something that happened hours ago. Parents know, kids will cry about some of the most silly things...usually when they are tired or hungry.

Got to thinking about me...I figure everyone else is, why shouldn't I. But then I remember God commands me to focus my eyes, thoughts and actions on him. It's amazing to me how self centered we are as a human race. Look everywhere and it's about "me". Look at the top 100 songs right now...most are about how you can please me, satisfy me, help me, love me, use me, abuse me...me me me. Magazines, movies, television...it's everywhere, all about me.

It's pretty sad that I sit down to watch a football game with my son and I have to monitor the commercials. TV shows about sleeping with as many women as possible, beer ads making alcohol seem so cool, viagra and cialis, Victoria secret. Sweet Gracious...I just want to watch the game.

Even as Christians we focus on "me" when we cry out to the Lord. God help me with this, Lord bless us, Lord use me, Father open my mind. What makes us any different than the world, if our faith is based on what God can do for us? God wants to hear our desires and needs, but he also desires us to shout out to him our praises and worship.

He promises to provide all we need. He who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (2nd Corinthians 9:10). Lets rest in the fact the God is our provider...Lets stop focusing on us and start focusing on Him.

None of this is said to remove the fact that God tells us to bring everything to him in prayer. I just wonder how much that we bring to Him, is brought as a heartfelt cry to Him and how much is asked as if he were our magic eight ball.

A Birth, A Death, A Resurrection. That's all that needs to be said. How selfish am I for asking for more than that?
"Shut your crier"...Yes lord, I will.

Random Happenings...

2007-01-04T19:41:00.000-06:00

You ever feel pulled in different directions...but no one is really pulling? I'm at that point the last few days. Family, Church, Missions, Career...good grief. My life is dedicated to my family, but if God's will were to allow me to go on every trip available, I would...and but that isn't a reality. Or is it God?
Broccoli: Great FOR me....Horrendous for those AROUND me.
Football Playoffs start this weekend. New England and New Orleans is my Super Bowl prediction. Whats yours?
The annual Girl Scout cookie sales have started. Wife is responsible for ordering all the cookies that the girls in Alex's troop sells. That's chaotic but fun. Especially the extra boxes of cookies!!!
Have you ever stopped and really considered the spiritual battle that is happening around us? It's real people, it's pretty scary and it's not going away until Jesus returns. (this may be a blog topic of its own someday)
The countdown is on for me to shave. I have been growing my hair, in support of my missionary brother Mike. He went to Liberia with us and then went on to Uganda and Sudan. He hasn't shaved the whole time he has been gone and to support him, I've done the same. I haven't had hair on my head for about 4 or 5 years. I also have never had a beard before. He arrives home on Thursday at about 9:30 or so. At approx. 11PM that night I will be clean shaven again. Sweet unhairy bliss.
Will I be making another video of my kids soon? Yes.
Will I be making another video montage soon, this time from the Romania trip? Ah, yea...duh.
Taking down the outside Christmas lights this weekend. Christmas is officially over...sad. But I encourage you to keep that "holiday" feeling all year long. We don't need a holiday to celebrate Jesus people...really we don't.

Thats all I got for now....be on the look out for more ramblings and videos.

God is Good!

Bathroom Humor

2007-01-03T09:51:00.000-06:00

Or is it? I have some issues with the way people use public restrooms.

Fact: It is not acceptable to "forget" to wash your hands

Fact: If you are going to talk on your cell phone while using the restroom, be prepared for me to be as noisy and obnoxious as possible. There may be moaning, banging, grunting, laughing, chirping...I'll mix it up as I see fit. I'll also be sure to give you a few courtesy flushes. I just want to be sure that the person on the other end of the phone, knows you think so much of them. Their call was so important that no bodily function was going to stop you from taking their call. I'm sure they feel so special.

Fact: If the toilet is too dirty for your bottom that you insist on lining the toilet with 4 trees worth of toilet paper, please remove it when you are done. If the throne is too nasty for your royal hynie...I'm not so sure why you think leaving the "seat cover" for the next guy is proper etiquette.

Fact: It's not cool to talk to anyone in the bathroom. If you walk in at the same time as someone, stop talking and resume your business after you have finished your business. This goes for stops at the urinal for sure, but even more so for those who think its ok to talk while in the sitting position.

Sure this isn't probably the most popular subject or politically correct. But I consider this my public service announcement. You're Welcome!

New Years Eve - Resolutions

2006-12-31T09:33:00.000-06:00

Jeez yea right, I don't make resolutions. When people ask I tell them I'm going to quit smoking or quit drinking. See that's the funny part, I don't do either. Man I'm a laugh riot. For 2007 I am going to make some goals, but I will just go with the flow of the life God provides. My goals for my life (not just this year):

To continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus

Lead, protect and provide for my family

Bring the weight down a bit

Spread the love, humor and word of our Lord

Continue to live as pure a life as a human can. Jesus is the only way I will have the strength to live the life HE calls me to live.

Another note: If you haven't seen Hotel Rwanda, go rent it. I will never understand the way humans think and live. Yet history proves to us, the we humans cannot do it the right way without a deep and true relationship with our God. Adolph Hitler, Slobodan Milošević, Nicolae Ceauşescu, Saddam Hussein, the Rwandan Genocide. And these are just the famous ones.

One of my closest friends, who is a police officer back home in Massachusetts, and has seen the effects of perverts attacks on children, has asked me a few times "How does your God allow these things to happen". I think of this question whenever I see a movie like Hotel Rwanda or documentaries on most African countries, or hear Pastor Eugen from Romania talk about the days of communism. How does our Lord allow these crazy acts of violence and inhumanity happen.

My only reply can be, until God opens my eyes to a better answer: That Matthew 22 teaches us of the Great Commandment. Matthew 22:37-40 says "'37Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

If these people had a true, deep and loving relationship with Jesus, then the convictions they would have in their lives would NOT be focused on their thoughts and feelings and desires, but rather Gods. Jesus Christ does NOT teach to love based on race or sex or social status. Jesus teaches us to love HIM First and Foremost, then love everyone else as you love yourself. Not once does he teach genocide, sexual abuse, murder, theft, torture.

Long description for me to say to those who question God's authority: If everyone lived their life for God, these atrocities may not have happened. But remember from every grossness comes beauty. That is God's responds to free will. HE lets us make decisions, but brings out his Glory from the decisions we make without his command.

Long post this morning...sorry :) Please, Please, Please be safe tonight. Designated Drivers aren't just a silly commercial, they are life savers, so use them....Please.

Happy New Year!

Liberia Picture Montage

2006-12-28T22:54:00.000-06:00

So....I found Movie Maker...sorry world, but here come movies and montages!!! I put together a picture montage from Liberia. Turns out, my movie making skills are just like my talking skills...long winded. This video ended up being 9 minutes long!! It may be a little slow to load, whoops. Next time I'll make it shorter, or at least try to. But it does have 2 of my favorite songs on it. Hope you enjoy it.

Funny story, my coworker and I got talking about movies and religion. He told me a story which proves again, God has a sense of Humor. This coworker of mine, I'll call him NoNo for privacy purposes, went to the movies to see some movie he thought was going to have some violence and mature content. Turns out the movie was a religious movie, which NoNo decided to leave after 5 minutes and go see something else. He thought a good football movie would be great, so he went into Facing the Giants. For those that don't know, Facing the Giants is a movie made by christians and has a very strong Christian message. Thankfully NoNo stayed and watched all of that movie. Just goes to show you, you cannot outrun the will of God.

God is Good!

Christmas Eve 2006 - Will I Remember...?

2006-12-24T18:47:00.000-06:00

It's almost 7PM on Christmas eve and I got to thinking about 10 or 20 years from now. Will I remember Christmas 2006? Will I remember Quatro and Seis's first Christmas as members of our family? The excitement of leaving cookies and milk for Santa? Quatro yelling to Uno and Dos that the cookies are NOT FOR THEM!!! :) Or Quatro running around hugging everyone yelling Merry Christmas, showing more loving emotions to us then she has ever done? Or Seis getting upset that she didn't get the Dora slippers we got Quatro instead of the Zoe's slippers we got her? (Gotta love being 2 and 3) Or how about Dos and Uno singing the 12 days of christmas in only a way Dos and Uno can? These are the memories I never want to forget. But it all goes by so fast...

How about you...will you remember Christmas 2006? Will you remember the important details that make times like Christmas so memorable? Wherever you are this Christmas, I hope that you will take a few moments to enjoy all that is happening around you...the sights, the smells, the conversations, the foods, the gifts, the friendships and the family.

How about after Christmas? Will we all take time to reflect, only in real time? Reflection doesn't have to happen after something happens. We can "reflect" as we live our lives. Making cookies together, playing at the park, bringing your kids to school....incredible memories happen everyday, yet they seem to fade away so quickly.

I'll be honest I don't know where that all came from, but I felt it important enough to write down. I hope this helps you as well as helps me remember to enjoy all the blessings God's given us. It's so important to embrace our blessings as they happen as well as after we have received them.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas - Praises to God

2006-12-22T14:48:00.000-06:00

This is a Christmas light show that we saw when in Brussels.

Christmas is in 3 short days. It's taken me a little bit to get back into the swing of things, but I'm in the spirit now. The last few nights we have been working on Praises to God with the kids during our devotions time. I thought I'd just write out the things I praise Jesus for in my life.

I praise God for:

Wife: the most incredible woman I have ever met. God molded the perfect person for me to grow old with and without her I'd be a lost soul.
Uno, Dos, Quatro and Seis: 4 precious kids who are beautiful, funny, creative, dedicated, devoted and the most well behaved children a parent could ask for. My life is rich each night I come home and am greeted by 4 huge hugs.
Family and friends: Growing up the chubby smelly kid, I could never have imagined being as loved as I am. My family, Wife's family, our friends in New England and in Texas...I'm truly blessed by our friendship and our times together.
The opportunity to see new parts of the world this year: God has opened my eyes to see how reliant we all are on Him. Regardless of our economical situations, we all need and desire a relationship with God.
The gift of eternal life: This gift we all have received through the birth, crucifixion and reserection of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16&17 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

I pray for all of you and your families. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and may you all have a blessed and properous New Year!!

Liberia - Thoughts Part 8

2006-12-20T10:46:00.000-06:00

--Dec 9& 10 - Brussels and Travel - day 10 & 11
So much for Kelly and my big talk. We are in the hotel right now and we got here at about 7am. He and I are sharing a room again, and Mike had called up here and said let's all rest and meet up at 2pm. We were both like "let's go see stuff. We could make it Paris and back in those 7 hours". So we showered then laid down to rest...and well its now...1pm :) oh well. I am clean and I am rested so that is good. The bathroom here also has a magnified mirror which makes my melon look enormous. I can actually count the hair on my head. I won't but I could.
--
Belgium is beautiful. The chocolate is phenomenal and the waffles with chocolate sauce is something straight from heaven, saw the Christmas lights and tree and light show.
--
Last night not sleeping in my own bed and tonight. We had a great 2 hour so meeting and lots of tears were shed and thoughts shared. It was good. I'm sure we will have a few more debriefing meetings as well. This trip was amazing but surreal at the same time and we are going to need time as a team to digest it all and figure out what happens from this point on. Afterwards we went out to the center square of Brussels and it was all lit up for Christmas. The square was amazing with a light/music show that was running up against the background of these amazing cathedrals and buildings. It was great. We did some shopping and as I mentioned had some chocolate which lived up to everything anyone ever said about it. The waffle with chocolate on it is so stinking good as was the hot chocolate. I could move here and live off the chocolate. I picked up some stuff for everyone. So now its a matter of sleeping then flying home. I'm ready :)

--
Dec 11 -
I'm up and packed and READY TO GO!!!! :) about to go down and have a team breakfast before we walk over to the airport. I've gotten a cold I think. I feel pretty ok but I'm congested and have a dumb old cough. Whatever...I'm going home!
--
On the plane now, about to leave Brussels. The rumor is elf and Talladega Nights will be played during this 9 hour flight. I've acquired a cough. I don't want to be sick when I get home, but oh well.
--
All that "excitement" for elf...and I slept through it :). I think we are down to 1 hour till we land.
--
On the flight now. Under 4 hours till we are home. I talked to the kids and Wife and the pure excitement in the voices makes me feel awesome. I know they love me and need me and that's such an awesome feeling. Lord I just want to take this time to come to you right now and worship at your holy feet for blessing me with the most incredible and perfect wife. We know you don't make mistakes father and you created, molded and blessed me with the most beautiful, intelligent, funny woman. Not too many people would have stuck with me through all I have done in my life and in her you have blessed me with the perfect temperament and understanding. God you’re so awesome. The children you have put in my life for us to raise to your glory father are beyond amazing. Smart, a sense of humor, obedient and loving lord is what they all are. Dos is the most incredible little man, loving his parents as you direct children to do, so intelligent and deliberate, so much fun. Quatro is so full of life lord and so head strong. The challenges she gives us lord are reminders of the challenges you put in our lives and the frustrations you feel towards us when we fall astray lord. She is a beautiful little girl and I love her more each day, even through the struggles. Lord Seis is such a bundle of energy and laughter. She brings life into a room and is such a rumble tumble little girl yet full of so much joy and love. And Uno father, what an amazing blessing she is. Unknown to her right now, she was used by you at such a young age, to help bring a man to you father and brought such joy to a her sick grandmother father. You are so amazing in unfolding your grace and mercy on us. You have given us an oldest daughter who, lord...words are hard to describe. Vibrant and tender, funny and soft hearted, brilliant and artistic, loving her parents yet more importantly...so fearful and full of you Jesus. An 8 year lord is an inspiration to me father...and its all because of you. I praise you father with all I have.

Liberia - Thoughts Part 7

2006-12-20T10:40:00.000-06:00

Day 9 - orphanage and departing - Friday
--
Sitting at the airport now. Today we went to the orphanage and prayed over all the rooms and entrance. The guys went and got water. I took a bunch of pictures and video of the kids playing, posing, singing and dancing. From there we went back to pastor’s house and hung out there and packed up. I left a bunch of clothes for the boys who helped us this week; Morris, Power, Matthew, Amos, Prince and the rest. I told Laura (pastors wife) I was so sorry for the stinkyness of them but I was leaving them. She seemed grateful. It was fun to spend the last few hours with the pastor’s family and friends. But it was sad too. A whole bunch of people were crying, including my favorite kid, Priscilla. She is pastor Wesley’s daughter. She is 16 and very adorable. I asked her if she was glad to get her room back from 2 stinky boys and she said no, with tears in her eyes. I asked why and she said because we are going. Mad me feel sad. I hope we showed our love for them by being real with them. I hope to see them again. It hurts my heart to think I won't. I am glad to be going home and to cleanliness. And I am glad to be getting away from the poverty and everyone asking for help. But at the same time...I don't want to leave. I want to stay and make these people laugh and have fun. It doesn't seem like they get much pleasure. I don't know what I want god to call me too, but like Romania, this just feels right. I still don't think I'm prepared for this but its so right feeling. I can't understand how to do this and have the family life I want too. God will figure it all out. Oh and we ( I ) got some sweet video of George the monkey. And some cool pics. I so love the monkey...I want one! When we were driving away for the last time, the monkey was not out. The van was really sad and teary so I just said “well I'm going to do this”...and I stuck my head out the window and yelled by to the monkey real loud. Everyone laughed. We all laughed even more when we saw a stream of pee come out under the gate.

As we went through baggage claim today, the bag checker saw dianes bible and he asked if she had another. She brought him one and after he found out we were all Christians he said "search is over" and let us through. It was pretty awesome.
-- random airport funny
Ryan just asked me if I had a comb...then didn't get it when I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Then he got it and teared up too. ... I guess you had to be there.
--
So we are flying now and I just had the most overwhelming feeling of missing my Romania mission trip members. Sarah, Bill, Chuck, Jenny and of course Stepan. They would have enjoyed this trip as well. I have no idea what brought that up, probably god. Father as I sit on this plane making our way back to friends and family I pray to you to blanket my teammates from the Romania trip with your comfort, love and blessings. I pray for their families lord and for their homes. I ask that you would just fill their hearts with you lord. I love them father and I love you lord.
--
Just landed in Brussels. That wasn't too bad a flight. I slept a bit but I am still pretty tired. It is 5:40am right now here. I hope we plan to rest for a bit before doing anything today. I think I may be coming down with a cold or something.

Liberia - Thoughts Part 6

2006-12-20T10:27:00.000-06:00

Day 8 -- shopping day
Last night Kelly and I talked about our testimonies and shared stories about families. It was cool to get to know him some more. Today is breakfast then out into town to shop. I'm not sure what follows that. I'll write more later, I'm going to try and retrieve my notes.
--
At breakfast right now and I don't know what's wrong with me, but I am super sad. I saw Wife put a comment up on the blog. Made me tear up of course. I'm really reserved and quiet and need to kick myself out of this. I just got so sad last night seeing the pastors kids sleeping on the floor, because I was sleeping in one of their rooms. Ugh. This is the saddest I've been in a long time. I don't remember being this sad in Romania. Lord, please be with me today as I need your help to get through this day and not be a distraction to the team. Father I pray that this sadness will fall away and the joy you have for us will be in me. You've made me father to bring smiles to faces and the source of my smiles lord is the provisions you have for me. This time away from those I love, I do for you and I am grateful to be given this opportunity. I love you father, amen.
--
So we did some shopping and I got everyone an African outfit and a few necklaces for myself. We are actually going to the beach right now. Kelly and Melissa are meeting up with a consulate to talk about the three kids adoption. We are actually going to go in and swim a bit. It should feel pretty good. The main street market place was so busy and crowded. Mainly people were selling cheesy American junk. But we did find some cool, what looked like authentic stuff. We are driving right now and its crazy how much these people honk their horns. They honk at intersections, when passing walkers, passing cars...its so weird and loud.
--
So sitting at the dinner table and today was pretty awesome. We went shopping and this morning interviewed pastor Wesley. It was great to hear his testimony and his thoughts on his ministries. This afternoon we went back to the beach. And I can tell people I have ridden the waves off the coast of Liberia. Ryan, Mike and I went swimming in the Atlantic ocean and body surfed on the waves. I'm not that great at it, but it was so amazing. Life long memories and stories were made from this afternoon. We leave tomorrow night. A night in Brussels then home. Hallelujah
--
Last night in Liberia. I'm sad to go but happy to be coming home. The people we have been staying with are so generous and nice. I saw tonight the boy who was sleeping on the floor last night, again on the floor. But this time at least he was on the pillow I gave him. Still so sad. That being said, god really laid on my heart tonight that we put humanistic levels of severity on sin. In the same way we put levels of severity on good as well. Isaiah 6 says "the whole earth is full of his glory". And it is so true. Put aside the poverty, dirt, trash and run downess and see that god is providing food and water and shelter. It isn't being provided the way we are accustomed to and that doesn’t mean we don't work to make life better. It just means that god is truthful in his word and his world is full of his glory. Not sure I explained that right or not, but it made sense to me and helped me feel a tiny bit better about this place.

--
Random thought before I go to sleep: the UN lands there helicopters right across the street. How cool yet loud is that...especially at 12:45 in the morning when you are trying to sleep. Like right now.

Liberia - Thoughts Part 5

2006-12-20T10:16:00.000-06:00

Dec 6 - day 7 – Wednesday – Clinic and Orphange
Today we will be heading over to the orphanage. It'll be my first trip over...I'm anxious to see it. Afterwards we will be going back to the clinic to hang the medicine shelves and take inventory of the medicines. I just saw the video mike put up today and it'll make Wife cry.
--
So we are back at the clinic now. We went to the orphanage and man oh man. They should be commended and praised for doing all they are doing in the conditions they live in. It was so sad to see the room about the size of my bathroom or even smaller, that sleeps 2 precious babies. The rooms for the girls is so small that the 2 bunk beds can't fit in the room properly. And the boys rooms are the same, too small for the beds. There are 13 girls in one room, then 7 boys in 1 room and 8 in another. The mattresses, or lack thereof is depressing. One of the girls beds had a 1/2 inch thick piece of foam. The bathroom is an outhouse. The well for water to clean with is about 300 feet away and the drinking well is about 1/4 mile away from the home. The clothes they were wearing were all tattered and torn. I pray for this home and those kids. They are so precious and god is so good, they are getting an education and provisions and exposure to god.
--
I'm in bed now and I feel so guilty. There are kids sleeping on the floor in the hall way. Ugh. I don't know what to do...if I offer my pillow or mattress to one others won't have anything. My stomach hurts. Other things to journal about: we put up the shelves at the clinic today. All the medicine is in the clinic and Pastor Wesley will put it all up when he is ready. I also bought a cool African wood carving of the Liberian handshake. He threw in a couple of huts as well.
--
I just went out and gave the boy outside my door my pillow. I couldn’t wake him, so I hope he wakes up and can/will use it.
--

From tonight Bible Study: Pastor Wesley said this quote and I really loved it "Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care". How unbelievable true is that?

Liberia - Thoughts Part 4

2006-12-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

Dec 3 - day 4 - church day
Good morning. Its Sunday and we are all sitting around having some quiet time before we head off to church. I think we will be leaving soon. Across the way, boys are getting their hair cut, or rather shaved with a straight edge. I should go get my head shaved, my hair is getting long. It should look pretty funny by the time I get home. The clothes the women wear for church are pretty cool. One woman is in a cool yellow get up with a head covering. How manly of me to notice the dress of the women.

-- Church
So the music is amazing. I love it more than any other worship music I have ever heard in my life. I teared up more than a few times. It’s so amazing how spirit of god can pour over a body of believers when you the whole body is singing out to him. The African worship is just unbelievable. Dancing and singing and harmonizing...goosebumps and filled with Jesus.
--
Well we are sitting at the restaurant and I can't get online, which stinks. Kelly did and he brought up the blog and I saw Wife and the kids post. Instant tears of course. We walked up to the restaurant from the church and man oh man did I sweat. I've sweat so much this trip. I'll be curious to see how stinky my suitcase is when I get back home. I got a few email addressees and phone numbers of some of the kids from the church. I gave my email out to a few as well. We shall see if I hear from any of them. I think after lunch is a time of rest back as pastor Wesley’s house.

--
So we are hanging out playing games with kids. I'm having a great time. Its so cool to see kids be kids. People all over the world are the same. Its just social and economic issues that shake it up.
--
Just got done playing football and doing prayer bracelets with the kids. This has been a good day. Just playing with the kids and hanging out and really being the light of Christ. I don't know if we are making a difference but it’s been fun. It’s a weird feeling, I guess its pretty much helplessness. But, I have to remind myself that no man is going to be able to fix this country and continent only god can and he will.
--
It’s at this point I deleted an entire entry of notes and prayers, about 2 and ½ days worth of notes…dang it all!

Liberia - Thoughts Part 3

2006-12-20T08:47:00.000-06:00

Dec 2 -- day 3 -- Monrovia
It's morning and man what bad night sleep :) I ended up sleeping on my pillow as a bed. The floor is stinking hard. I was up every 30-45 minutes. The people here don't sleep. You would here people up walking around and more bizarrely...sweeping. Everything is dirt here, yet they are sweeping. And the smell in certain areas is really horrible. I guess we are going to go get some breakfast shortly.
--
Father I just wanted to thank you for this opportunity. I'm sitting here watching the people live their lives, and I feel so grateful for this time here. I always try to keep in mind how grateful we are in our lives but being here makes it real. Father you are the lord of all and I love you father.
--
So we just finished eating breakfast at a restaurant and they had free wireless here so I emailed Wife and the kids. I miss them. Karen just stopped by and said she met the mom of the twins. She isn't sure how to respond to it and she broke down and cried a bit. I can totally understand the feeling, but I think it may be blessing too.
--
At the medical clinic and the church right now and there was some sort of miscommunication. Pastor Wesley thought we had come to finish off the medical clinic. This included purchasing all the supplies and paying for all the labor for the workers. Mike had to talk with him and tell him we didn't come prepared to purchase a 6000 dollar generator and all the cabinets and wiring. We ended up praying for a bit and right now we have cleaned out the clinic (it was a mess) and Mike is hanging some lights. We have agreed to pay for the wiring supplies and when Pastor Wesley comes back we will finish the wiring of the clinic.
--
I am standing here holding a ladder while one of the workers cleans the fans and I can hear this screaming and carrying on outside. I look out the window and I see a mom washing her 5 or 6 year old son. He is screaming because she is cleaning him. Too funny. It happens all over the world. They bathe their kids outside with a bucket and towel
--
I'm taking a quick break. We are right now scrubbing the cement floor of the church with cloths and cut up burlap bags. The girls and Ryan went over to the orphanage (40 minute drive away) and they came back pretty sad. They said it was very primitive. An outdoor kitchen and toilet. The workers I guess they seemed to love the kids, but they were also desperate for the supplies we brought. Pastor Wesley said they would be brought over on monday. We will all go over there at some point this week...I look forward to it, but I also dread it. I guess there are not enough mattresses for the kids. Not enough of anything. I do hope to see it all soon. Back to scrubbing floors
--
Random observation: we are standing around the church with rooster crowing and chickens running all around.
--
So right now we are sitting outside pastor Wesley’s house (which is an old internet cafe turned into a home). Kelly is making balloon animals for the kids. It started out with about 7 or 8 kids and now kids are pouring in from the street. There is probably 15-20 kids surrounding him. It’s amazing. It is dark out yet these kids knew something was going on. Amazing.
--
So I just took a "shower" which consisted of fast dripping water from a shower head and a bucket of water. It was cooler water so that felt good, but I still feel very damp. The travel towel...is a bit bigger than a dish towel, and didn't dry me at all.

Liberia - Thoughts Part 2

2006-12-19T16:30:00.000-06:00

Dec 1 -- Day 2 -- travel
25 minutes until we land in Brussels. Whew is my back and rear end sore. Hey, only 8 more hours to go...yipee! I slept a little bit and I missed the breakfast they served.
--
Just about to land in Brussels and man it looks just like America. The roads have houses on them that look like your average American cul-de-sac. It looks very pretty, and very green.
--
So we are now waiting for our flight to Monrovia. Should be boarding in 20 minutes or so. I was a bit disappointed that getting off the plane here it didn't smell like waffles and chocolate!
--
Ok so we are on the plane from Brussels to Monrovia, its boarding right now. Only 8 short hours till we are there. I'm sitting next to a man you is reading something in Arabic...I don't think he speaks English. It would have been interesting to talk to him about Jesus and hear his thoughts. I think I could have talked to him about showers too :). Oh and once again, I'm hungry. That's been the running theme so far for this 1 day old trip.
--
I just missed out on ice cream!!! Dang it all. I fell asleep.
--
Lord I just humbly come to you right now and ask for your continued protection and guidance. Lord there are going to be times of weariness, sadness and tiredness. I give those feelings to you and just ask lord that you be with Wife and the kids as they begin their Friday. I thank you father for the blessings you have given me and it’s my prayer that I will glorify you in my actions, thoughts and words. I love you lord, amen.
--
Landed in Monrovia and man oh man its hot here and the baggage claim was like a zoo. Pastor Wesley is being talked to by the customs agents. We have an enormous amount of stuff here with us. Getting out of the airport is very chaotic. And frankly it doesn't look like an airport.
--
So we just finished driving to pastor Wesley’s place. There was 13 of us in a van and it is stinkin hot and stinkin stinky. Its amazing to see the barbed wire and military personal with huge machine guns. Its really dark here so its was hard to see the landscape and the people. Every other house had power I think by generator while others had candles.
--
This is surreal...all the things I have seen on tv. I'm outside a hotel/store looking around at the store and markets and the people hanging around in the darkness of the night dancing and singing.
--
So its about 10:30 here on Friday night and there is no water to wash up with and I am beyond nasty right now. It is so hot and humid here, I can't even begin to think what'll be like during the day. I'm bunking up with Dr. Kelly Briden (sp?) from Michigan. We had a big mattress to sleep on, but we ended up giving it to the girls, who had one mattress to share between the 5 of them. We are supposed to get another mattress tomorrow. We are to be up for breakfast at 7am tomorrow. I'm gonna be tired. :) its ok though...I feel like this is a true sacrifice. Pastor Wesley has done so much in preparation for our coming. I pray that we are a light to him and we can glorify Jesus in all we do these next few days. Pastor Wesley seems to have planned out for us all of our activities. I think, by the time this trip is done...I'm gonna be one tired dude. I'm going to go outside and spend some time with people.
--
So as much as I may complain about how sore I am...sleeping on the floor, in Africa, with no running water...that's missions work to me. Ok back to trying to sleep. I love you god...I love you Wife, Uno, Dos, Quatro, Seis. I miss you guys

Liberia - Thoughts Part 1

2006-12-19T16:09:00.000-06:00

The next bunch of posts will consist of my thoughts, observations and prayers during my 11 day trip to Monrovia Liberia with our church. We went to work with Pastor Wesley from the Greater Love Baptist Church and the medical clinic and childrens home he runs. It was a life changing trip and I wanted to share with you the things that stuck out to me.

Nov 30 - Day 1 - travel
So we are sitting at Mayberry airport, just waiting to board the plane. All sorts of flights are being delayed and cancelled because of the snow. It snowed here last night, probably a dusting or so. Someone here said all the flights to New York are cancelled. Hopefully our flights are going to be ok. Delays would stink...but it'll all be good.
---
So this flight has been pushed back to leave at 10:45 instead of 9:30. Super.
--
We are on the plane in right now and some truck broke down in the middle of the taxi area and we can't go by until its cleared up. So we are sitting here. We are cutting it close as it is to make our flight from Chicago to Brussels. Praying we make it. The captain just came on and we are going to be de-iced again so that'll be an additional 10-15 minutes until we take off. It’s gonna be a tight connection.
--
Still sitting on the plane. It’s about 3:15 and we were supposed to leave at 1:30. I'm pretty stinking hungry. They are de-icing the plane right now. Oh and to top it all off, I seemed to have lost my mp3 player. I plugged the headphones into the plane TV so I could watch a show. Well the TV volume stopped working, so I went to listen to music and I lost the mp3 player. I think I had it in my lap and when I got up and fell off...but I can't find it now. Ugh. This stinks :)
--
Sweet sassy molassy...we were late getting into Chicago, but God is good and our flight to Brussels has been delayed as well. They still had to hold it for us, and now we are waiting for our luggage to get transferred over. I'm a little disappointed, this plane doesn't have the TVs on the backs of the seats. And the seats are pretty cramped in. I just hope to sleep most of this trip away. I also hope the food they serve is ok, I am stahhhvin (Boston for starving). I was supposed to sit on the aisle but the guy who was here already took the aisle and I got the window...sweet. And not only that, it's in between 2 windows which is advantageous to me sleeping. I am really sad that I may not get to talk to Wife too much this whole trip. I think I may have talked to her for the last time for 10 days. Ugh...that's super sad.
--
So I'm sitting here listening to music and I feel you Lord. I've felt so alone, apart from you, but you are here with me right now and man I love you so much Father. You have shown that no detail is too small for your plan. Sitting on this flight to Brussels, because you called us here and held the flight and guided us here safely. I'm rambling Father but I feel you here and needed to take this time to worship you for all you are. Lord please keep your sovereign hand of peace, love and joy over my house and family, as I know you will lord, because they aren't my family if they aren't your family first and foremost. God I am so ready for you to use me. I've been ready for weeks now, but wasn't sure you really wanted to use me, but you have filled me with your warmth daddy and I thank you so much. It's with all my heart and love lord...amen
--
Hey its 8:30 and I finally ate...woohoo. Only now I'm not sure if I feel better or worse *burp! I'm going to lay back now and hopefully sleep for a good long while. Oh and it was roast beef with mashed "potatoes"...it tasted decent...like a TV dinner.
--
Ok so I haven't napped yet. Tim brought someone over to me who is a Romanian man, working in Chicago who's been doing work with churches in Romania and in Chicago. He gave me a cd with a PowerPoint presentation. I look forward to seeing it. I'm not so sure what this opportunity may or may not be...but God is good. I gave him my card and hopefully we can start a dialogue as to the works he is doing and see what Gods plans are.

Family Officially Larger!!

2006-12-19T15:41:00.000-06:00

Well yesterday (Dec 18th) we officially adopted the girls. We are now a family of 6! What a relief to no longer have to worry about birth parents or social workers coming around. Of course this also means 2 more college tuitions to save for...doh! :) And now the search begins for a brother or 2 for Dos and the girls. Although Dos did tell us he felt so sad for the orphans of the world, cried about it, talked about how he wants to help so bad and how sad it is, yet when we asked if he would share his room with an orphan if one were to come live with us, he said with a straight face...there isn't enough room in here. Gotta love being 6.

Anyone praying over and contemplating adoption, I will say this: It took me forever to accept adoption as a way to increase our family. The fear of not being able to love the adopted children, the thought of being able to afford it, questioning my own parenting skills with someone "elses" child...(all which turned out to be a bunch of hooey!) In adoption you not only give kids a home and family, you are living out a true representation of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

When you take a child into your home to raise, love, provide for and call yours forever....this is exactly what Jesus has done for everyone of us. He loves us, He provides for us and He calls us HIS forever...and this was all done because God CHOSE to.

God is Good!

Internet...Here I am...

2006-11-10T16:44:00.000-06:00

So now I am here...on the internet, sorry!! So many people have blogs, cluttering up the internet, and now I am here doing the same. I'm not really sure who my audience is supposed to be, but I'll write this for a while. I'll stop when I run out of things to bore people with.

Here is a test video: