This past week = no good.

Well the government shutdown did not happen, Thank You, Lord and we got our offical approvals from USCIS yesterday. We found out that the papers we received about two weeks ago were just papers saying that our case was in process. Now that we have the official approval, we will talk to the agency tomorrow or Tuesday when P is in the office to find out what to do. The past two weeks have actually been the longest for me during the entire adoption. They went by so slow and were probably the most frustrating.

Work was insane! Inside I had no patience with any customer. All of us who work together were so frustrated last week! Finally Friday we could just laugh about it, but Friday had it's share frustrations too! Needless to say we were all MORE than relieved when we finally locked the doors on Friday afternoon.

I held a hostess apprecation party for my jewelry hostesses on Thursday and Friday this week. Kelly was a life-saver and did the show for me. I was so not prepared. I hope to keep doing the jewelry shows when we return from Peru. So I've got to get rolling in lining them up!

On the one and only fun and stress-free day of the week - which happened to be Saturday - Brent and I did some kid shopping yesterday! That was fun! We got some bathroom decor, bedspreads, closet organizers, and a bed and desk!
That same night some of the youth through a surprise birthday party for 2 of the kids. It actually was kind of a disaster, but ended up okay. I think.

This week has got to be better!

PRAY FOR AMERICA

Just a quick note:
Please pray without ceasing for the government tonight and tomorrow. They must reach a decision about the budget by tomorrow at midnight! If they do not reach a decision, then I think there is a mandatory shut down. I don't know details, I just know that means no pay check for government workers and their families! It also means delays for us going to Peru!
Our country needs the Lord.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16

I think this song by Casting Crowns might be appropriate

Hear our cry, Lord, we pray
Our faces down, our hands are raised
You called us out, we turned away
We've turned away

With shipwrecked faith the idols rise
We do what is right in our own eyes
Our children now will pay the price
We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light

If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out

All our hearts, all our strength
With all our minds, we're at Your feet
May Your kingdom come in our hearts and lives
Let Your church arise, let Your church arise

If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out
We're reaching out

If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, we're reaching out

If we've ever needed You
Lord, it's now, Lord, it's now
We are desperate for Your hand
We're reaching out, reaching out

We need You now
Revive us now
We need You now

Blessings by Laura Story

Basketball and Weddings

There a story that is funny to us. One night just a few months after we were married, Brent was watching basketball. It wasn't just any old basketball game, it was a Cavs game. Brent's favorite player is Lebron James. Now when I say favorite player, I mean he's possibly a fanatic. Anyways, when I came into the living room and sat on the couch and began to tell Brent something about the day. He just looked at me, held up his hand, and said, "Shhhh - Lebron's on." and looked back at the TV. Then he looked at me again and we laughed and laughed. It still makes us chuckle when we tell this little funny. :)
His obession, I mean like, of Lebron has calmed down a bit - especially since he owes us $400. But the Heat is now the favorite team.

Now fast foward 7 years and tonight was my turn. I got to return the sweet sentiment! I am excited about the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Tonight, I was watching a show on BBC that was telling the story of the two and Brent was sitting on the couch with me. When the commericals came on, the TV would change to ESPN for the college girls championship. Then a few moments, the TV would change back to the story of William and Kate. Brent decided to talk to me about something about the game and, well, you know what I said - "Shhh! William and Kate are on!" YES! HAHA! GOT HIM!! It was pretty fun!

I guess we will see what will become of Lebron and the Heat. I can't wait for the royal wedding. I don't know if the Heat play on April 29, but I'm thinking Lebron will have to wait on the DVR!

Shower #2

Tonight was our 2nd adoption shower. It was hosted by the church I grew up in. We are grateful for the people in this church. They helped to shape my life. I have so many good memories there. We enjoyed getting to share with them about the adoption. My camera is broken. It quit working last night at Stadium Fest. I do not have any pictures now of this shower. It was so nice. They had a fiesta theme! Bright colors and food. It was so nice. I know there was a lot of hard work that was put into the shower.

At the same time that Brent and I are running around making rooms ready, sorting toys and clothes and getting ready for three new lives in our family, my uncle is fighting for his life. In fact, I don't even know if he will live through the week. He has heart problems. And as far as I know, he is not believer. Yes, he has heard the gospel. More than once I am told. His daughter, Tracy, is a believer. I'm not sure about my aunt.

When was a teenager, he teased me about getting a red convertible when I turned 16 and then again when I graduted high school. For fun, my cousin Jeffrey bought me a red toy convertible at gradution. One of my all-time favorite gifts. I still have it.

My family needs your prayer. I can't imagine what Tracy and my Aunt Sandy are going through and the decisions they have to make tomorrow and in the coming days. My uncle is in desperate need of prayer, maybe the Lord will allow him to live and be coherent and decide to trust Christ. Thank you for praying.

I'm still here. We were gone for a few days. We head to SC to see some friends and then GA to a marriage conference - which was phenomenal! Then we went to MS to visit some more friends. It was a very nice vacation. I still have a few days off so that is terrific!

The marriage conference was put on by FamilyLife.
There were about 500 something people, so it was nice to be in a smaller conference. The longest married couple there had been married for 46 years and there was a couple there who were only married a month ago! I love where Brent and I are in our marriage. I would not want to go back to being a newly married couple, but I can't wait to be married for 46 years!
I may blog more about the topics at the conference a bit later.

There has been a little movement in the adoption area! YES!! We got our approvals from Immigration in the mail today! We got these back so fast! Amazing! Our agency said Peru will approve those approvals and then on to the next step!

Well I'm tired from travelling. Just wanted to check in!

April Showers....

Well it's close enough to April anyway. We have 3 adoption showers to celebrate! Our family did one for us this past Sunday and we have 2 more in April to look forward too!

It's so exciting to see everyone come together and give towards the lives of these kids! One of my favorite surprizes was gift in the mail from Angela! A box from Amazon full of Max Lucado children's books! I love these books and I can't wait to read them to the kids! My mom and I also went to consignment sales this weekend. Confession: it was bit overwhelming. I wasn't completely sure what to get, but picked up a 2 games, a puzzle, some legos, and some more books! Brent and I are going to a marriage retreat soon and we will get to go to IKEA! Maybe we will find some goodies for their rooms!

We have a lot go get ready around the house so we have got to get moving!
We are still waiting to hear back from Immigration. They said it could take up to 5 weeks. I think this starts week 2 of waiting. So we are okay.

Here are the only pictures from the shower. I wanted to take more, but with all the people to see and talk to, I forgot.

Ethiopia

Well I got a text message today from Sharon! Ethiopia has everything in order - at least getting everything in order in the area of their adoptions. It looks like Sharon and Tim will be able to proceed as normal!! Thank you for your prayers!

Pray for our friends

Our friends are adopting from Ethiopia. They need your prayers right now. Ethiopia needs your prayer. Tim explains their situation well on his blog. Please pray for them, so their dreams can come true too! Thanks!

Music

I added some music to the blog! Enjoy!