Use Me!

THAT is our cry.  We want to be used by our Lord Jesus and can I tell you it feels OH SO GOOD!  Thank you Lord for using a group of sinners, such as our family, to be your hands to the hurting world. 

We are FAR from perfect, we make mistakes and we, at times, crumple in the face of evangelism but yet you call us and allow us to love your people for your glory. 

I've been filling in for a friend when she can't make it to the hospital to pray over her Muslim friend who is in the ICU.  We've been bold and pray in Jesus name and have been asking for healing, for him to call out to our Lord because we care about his eternal destiny.  We care so much that there is a yearning in our hearts that can't let one day go by without one of us seeing him and sharing the Good News. 

Worldly speaking I have no reason to have concern for this man.  I just met him on Saturday, when God grants him full recovery he will go back to Kuwait, he is different from me in many ways.  YET, there is such a burden on my heart for his soul. 

As I was walking down the hall to his room I passed a distraught couple.  I barely noticed them as I was praying, "Lord, go before me!"  As I was past them some way my memory jogged and I called out her name.  It was the parents of neighbor friends I had grown up with back in my hometown.  We embraced and I quickly learned her youngest was in a serious motorcycle accident the day before and his passenger had died. 

Great pain.

Huge heartache. 

I was here, I was called at this exact moment to pass them by as they stood in the hall.  SO many perfect "coincidences" had to line up for this God-meeting.  Timing, the direction of how they were standing, the officer calling them to the hall at that moment, my friend not coming to visit the ICU, me filling in for her on a holiday when my husband had taken the kids so I could get a few things done around the house... being obedient to His plan verses my own plan. 

Yes God, use me!  So now I have two reasons to visit the ICU and they are to care for the hurting in their lowest of time. 

May we all desire to be used and to put off our own plans for then we have amazing God-stories to share! 
 

Scales Fall

When the Lord allows us to see things, to know the truth and the scales fall from our eyes, we then have an obligation of obedience.  We are at that crossroad and know that it is time to act and give a voice to the orphan, to those in need in India.  As we've been praying about how this would look and how best to show what is on our hearts, God, in His sovereignty, has given us an avenue that is beyond wonderful. 


We have been in contact with the producers of the new documentary film; Mother India; Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan and have agreed to host viewings of the film.  If your small group, church or organization would be interested in having an event, we would come, share our experience, show the film and bring an array of ways in which you can become intimately involved in sharing Christ with orphans in India. 

Watch the trailer and may your hearts too be never the same!

http://motherindiafilm.com/

How Many Mommies?

For four and a half years Punya lived in an environment where there was eleven different care-givers that came in and out of her life.  They fed her, clothed her, bathed her, assisted her, taking care of her needs.  Is it no wonder that, though the title has changed from "Auntie" to "Mommy" she is having a hard time figuring out who this term is for?  A bit hard for this Momma to stomach a first, she calls everyone who cares for her in some way "Mom".  I first noticed it when she was over the fence at the neighbor's for about fifteen minutes, then it was her sisters.  We've had to ask our dear friends to give us more time to adjust and regroup as a family.  This we know is just one of the learning curves with older-child adoption and there will be plenty more ahead of us.  Thank you to our loving family and friends who are painfully holding back and helping us, help Punya figure out the difference between family and friends. 

Some specific ways you can help:

1) Allow her immediate family to touch only; hugs, kisses and holding need to belong here for an unknown amount of time.  High fives are great!  She will reach for hugs from everyone so be completely comfortable telling her friends high five and steering her back to us for anything else.

2) Allow us to feed her.  If food is offered, allow us to hand it to her, give her the plate, etc.  She needs to know that her immediate family will meet her physical needs.

3) Don't worry at all if you forget, I do too!  If either of us remembers just say it to her; "Oops, no hugs from friends, high five me instead!" 

4) Pray that God will help us meet her heart needs and see/sense what she cannot tell us.

THANKS FOR HELPING US! 

Cashiers Here We Come!

So, we have now RARELY missed a chance to offer prayer to people we meet while checking out.  We have also received the entire spectrum of responses to our question; "Is there anything we can pray for you?"  It has been such a good growing experience for us.  We have a notebook we keep in the car and listed are all the people, their situations, their requests or responses and my personal notes.  Before we re-enter a store, we'll review our list and hope we run into the same people. 

What I have found most interesting is how deep that question will take a usually dry, polite chat of the weather.  We are praying for babies being formed in the womb by our Maker, new beginnings as young adults prepare to go off to college, a daughter's distress for a mother who refuses to pray, a man who thinks "it's all good, I don't need prayer", a young mom who is trying to manage a young daughter, a Sunday School teacher who wants to connect with her students but has a child that needs much of her attention and many more.  What is also a delight is really connecting with people!  Being able to say their name and see their eyes shine that we remembered them and cared to ask about how their particular issue was going. 

My friend "took that challenge" as she called it and her interaction has resulted in being a "BRINGER" to church; pray that Nikita will indeed come this Sunday! 

Believe that every interaction was a God-designed stop along your day, you are Him to that person; show it! 

Baker's Grocery

We get our kids involved in the ministry plans because it will hold us accountable.  Remember that we have been trying to pray for the people we meet in the stores.  Can I tell you this is still a work in progress for me?  UGH!  There are just times I pretend to forget, all the while knowing that I should ask.  And, it hasn't totally disappointed me that I've been cooped up in the house for almost three weeks so I haven't been to any stores.  My girls will eventually remember our prayer plan and I'll have some lame excuse; "Oh, we should have asked before we walked away!" or "Don't interrupt Mom while I am talking to the clerk."  Fully knowing they are trying to remind me to ask them about prayer. 

But thank you Lord for your grace and for Pastor Theimer's comment a long while back.  Baby steps!  If we keep doing something that is uncomfortable now, it will eventually become comfortable.  We might even forget that at one point we struggled with the idea. 

So, while giving my lame excuse at McDonald's, where we enjoyed a cone, I prayed for boldness as we turned up the street to Baker's grocery.  I determined I was going to ask and I all but blurted it out!

Me: "We pray for those we meet in the store, is there anything you want us to pray about?" 
Clerk: "Yes!  My boyfriend was just sent to prison on Monday."
Me: "How are you doing with that?"
Clerk: "I tear up a lot!"
Me: "It just so happens that my pastor was in prison."
Clerk: "Really?  Where is your church?"
Me: "30th & Lake"
Clerk: "I live right near there!"
Me: "You should come!"
Clerk: "What time is the service?"
Me: "10:00 a.m.!"
Clerk: "Thank you SO much!"

So by now we are more than done and bag gathered we say we'll pray.  Ecstatically we bop to the car and share the interaction with the family.  We all pray and then write her a note that Jon and two of the girls carry back to her. 

Bridge Church

30th & Lake

10:00 a.m.

Pastor Myron Pierce

(200 year prison sentence)

Pastor Josh Dotzler

Please come!

Jenn (and I include phone number)

Take a moment and pray that she will come. 

I know God will meet her there and begin to heal her heart. 

 Our God is so very faithful!

I Saw Him Do It!

A bright, red sparkly bag with white tissue paper was waiting on the trash can.  Attached was a note that read, "WARNING!  Yummy treats hidden inside.  Enjoy!  Have a blessed day!"  Jon had gotten it outside nice and early for us.  We peered outside the window at the sound of those familiar brakes and saw the entire scene.  The truck pulled up and the man on the back jumped off as usual but he stopped and picked up the bag as if it were a bomb.  He turned it around and then read the note, running the bag to the front cabin.  After emptying the trash he did something we've NEVER had happen before.  He OH, SO KINDLY brought our can up to the garage and ran off. 

See that?  The ripple effect!  Love can bring a domino effect of more love out-poured. 

We are already planning a strategy for next week but have a BIG BREAKFAST TO-GO box planned for a few weeks out.  AND we have to get to know their names! 

SO FUN! 

Lord, prepare their hearts even now for you.  May your Holy Spirit be tilling the soil that they will be open and receptive to that seed of faith in You Jesus! 

Reaching Out

OK!  After several weeks of trying to keep up with life and the tasks at hand we feel we are ready to turn the corner and dig in.  We are ready to be used and poured out.  We can't wait actually, feel like a bird in a bird cage ready to be let loose.  I feel God has been speaking to us about praying into areas where we can serve right where we are; no longer waiting.  I am hearing His voice about this in every area I turn. 

Please share your cool ideas of how you minister to others, with your family, right where you are.  I would love to hear them and be challenged in new ways and ideas!

I'll share that we have enjoyed loving on our mail carrier.  Mr. Craig will usually find a treat and a note in the mailbox 1-2 times a week.  We even went so far as to make up a questionnaire for him to find out his favs; favorite treat, favorite drink in the cold, favorite drink in the heat, when his birthday is so we could extra splurge on him.  AND you know what?   He said, "I've never seen a nicer family!"  Now, I don't say that to brag on us a bit, I almost want to leave that out BUT we must know it because that is the point.  If we love the way Christ asks us to it will not look normal, it will look radically different and people will notice.  They will feel a love that they rarely, if ever see.  SO, let's love away people! 

We are getting up early tomorrow at this house because it is trash, recycling and lawn waste pick-up.  That is THREE sets of people coming right to our driveway and we are going to be waiting for them!  How often do they get loved on???  Come on now, let's make it a point to have a treat waiting for them too! 

Share away!  I (and I'm sure others) will enjoy your great ideas! 

We're Back!

After ten days of battle-of-the-lice, I believe we have won!  After the daily, tedious search the results are in... ZERO... nothing was found!  So, we will continue to pick and look and do diligence but for this we give thanks!

We had blessings from this adventure.  Laughter even amidst the daily drain of laundry, vacuuming and picking.  Don't get me wrong, there were hard moments and Wednesday was a particularly hard day of exhaustion and discouragement.  Yet, God gave us sweet bonding, rolls of laughter at the dinner table, songs that we'll remember and sing for joy...

The girls came up with this rendition.  On the night we were treating everyone for the second time, the girls came to me donning shower caps, bouncing to this tune...

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
LICE! (whispered)
You give and take away
LICE! (whispered)
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name'

Mimi thinks she is so funny!

Soaking up the solution!

Shower cap beauties... lovely! 

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

You have journeyed with us while we have experienced things that make us soar; children serving others, worship of our Lord Jesus Christ, families being knit together, one less orphan in the world, homecomings.

You have journeyed with us while we have experienced things that make us cry; poverty, hopelessness, waiting children, fatherlessness, hearts that are not united with Christ.

Now, against my worldly desire to do so, I share with you a path that we are traveling that I feel is pretty ugly right now; being in the thick of it. 


On Wednesday afternoon we found that we have lice.  SO bad that it is a bit embarrassing that I missed it until now.  Punya's head was so full that I could randomly pull my fingers through a section of her hair and adult lice would fall to the sink.  Amazingly, only Jon and Ella escaped the critters but we treated all of us none-the-less.  That night we were up past 2:00 a.m. just working through hair.  It is something that I'd rather not share to the world but I do so for several reasons.

Mainly I share because I know that there are some of you out there that will in fact flood heaven's gates for us and pray that it would be halted and contained quickly.  Pray that we would treat this and find that we are not being re infested.  Please pray that with us!  I was already going to bed quite early with exhaustion and then this... 

I also share this because when we went on this journey we planned to be honest and upfront, not trying to hide certain parts but sharing openly what God is doing; because we know in all things HE is to be praised.

Lastly, I share because even in the midst of storms and "terrible" moments HE is there, walking beside us and wanting us to cling to Him.  WE do have the God-given freedom of choice; we are not puppets.  I can choose to walk through this journey and be angry and bitter OR I can see His blessings in the midst of the storm; blessings like...

* my dear neighbor who came over to confirm, what I already suspected was brewing...
* a special friend who texted JUST after we found out, dropped everything and brought us products from the store
* three friends offering to nit-pick with me through layers and layers of hair...
* friends still bringing meals so that we can focus on laundering, vacuuming and bagging...
* a husband who does research to the 10th degree for us...
* same husband who elaborately shares exactly what and how much pesticides we just lathered all of us in, that will go straight to our bloodstream (OK so not the best blessing but I am smiling now at the thought of it)...
* a friend dropping by treats especially for Mom; so I can cope  :)
* the same friend bringing new shows so the girls would be mesmerized; to pick some more...
* laughing even through this trail; the girls keep things lite for me, one of them proudly saying, "I don't have nits, I just had the bugs!" 
* both of our parents being willing to come and help if needed...
* new family phrases; "Buggy, Buggy!" whenever a new nit is found; yes day three and still finding way too many in Punya's hair...
* nearly falling asleep in my personal "salon" chair as Jon combed through my hair (it was relaxing if I forgot why he was pampering me)...

So even in this, I am staying focused on the Lord and His out-pouring which means taking every thought captive as there are times (like after only 4 hours of sleep) when I need to choose to love because I'm not feeling very loving. 

The Fatherless

Our hearts ache for the fatherless.  We KNOW, without a doubt, that the Lord has put a burden on our hearts to reach those that feel hopeless; that feel they have no advocate.  We feel it so much that it has catapulted us forward to make significant changes in our lives.  It started with adoption but has seeped into living in community and sharing Christ with the broken, one relationship at a time.   

After more than a year of making significant life changes, that included selling our suburbia home in West Omaha, we happened upon this video of another family that has already paved the way and become a model for what is to come in our lives. 

Introducing... "Living On The Front Porch" 

His Words...

We waited in the slowest line of the day.  Ever so slowly we weaved our way through the snaked path towards the immigration booth.  On an elevated platform, behind a raised counter sat the gentleman whose words echo in my ears.  Words that confirm and overwhelm you with their truth. 

We proceeded like the other times before.  We did this in China and once coming into India and now we are leaving for home.  The passports and boarding passes are handed over soberly, without words, without smiles, another check point.  He calls a name; "Ava" and we hold her up, feet dangling she smiles and his eyes change.  "Meg" again smiles and his mouth begins to move.  "Livi" she giggles and smiles and he smiles too, "Ella", she can see without us holding her and she smiles at him confidently, "Punya" no smile but we do.  All five are done and he looks at us.

"Why are you doing this?" 

That pause was in my throat, we aren't quite home, will this matter for her?  Then the words, "our faith" I hear myself say and then my wonderful husband finishes, "because Jesus loved us and we will love others." 

We smile and wonder what he thinks... and then his words...

"Well, if more people believed the way you do, there wouldn't be any orphans in the world." 

I'm not sure what part of that sentence makes me ponder more; the cause or the effect.  I hope it makes you ponder too.  As Christians our lives should not look like the world's ways. 

Attachment

This is a post that we SHOULD have written before now.  Many of our friends are also going through these same life changes, due to adoption, I will use their thoughtful comments here.  This post, that I will adapt slightly, was written by a friend Christina A.  Her family is waiting to receive clearance to travel to Ethiopia for their daughter; thanks Christina!

Walk Alongside in Prayer and Encourage Us

Thank you once again to our prayer team that have faithfully prayed with us these last three weeks.  What a blessing and change it made to our lives.  God used your prayers to pour out His provision, kindness and grace to us in an environment that was challenging. 
THANK YOU! 

May our Lord richly bless you for being a servant for His purposes!

On hibernation:  Here is a link to a blog post written by Jen Hatmaker which addresses the attachment period needed between family and child. I am going to cover a few of the statements addressed in her post that our family has chosen to take on as our new normal for awhile. I will copy those here, clearly, in this post, to help you know how to help us and Punya adjust.

It is crucial that we use this period of time with Punya wisely to build a foundation that will help her move forward in a healthy fashion.  We also hope to help her move forward more quickly as she becomes certain that WE are hers and SHE is ours - FOREVER. Our home will be the 4th "group of people" she has lived with in her first 4 1/2 years of life. Try to understand her fear, brokenness and her confusion. Can you imagine?  She is used to many people meeting her needs so if that continues here, our home becomes yet another "care facility".  She MUST learn what family is, who her parents are, what her parents roles are in her life, who her siblings are and their roles as well. That's a lot to learn for a little girl!  As we have arrived home we must put these boundaries in place. As Punya moves into our family environment, we need to teach her that is exactly what it is.

• "Know this: Those first few weeks and months will more than likely be difficult. They might be downright disastrous. You will struggle through feelings and emotions you didn’t know you were capable of. You will cry. They will cry. They may absolutely spaz out actually. You will wonder if your life is ruined or if happiness will ever return to your home. Beloved, IT WILL. It so will. They are grieving and processing and transitioning. It’s just hard – on them, on you, on the bio kids if you have them. There is no magic formula that will skirt your family around this chaos."

EVERYONE IN OUR HOME HAS HAD MELT DOWNS.  WE ARE ALL LEARNING A NEW WAY OF BEING A FAMILY.  SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS ARE BEING STRETCHED.  JUST TONIGHT MEG CRIED THAT SHE MISSES HER OLDER SISTER.  ELLA HAS THE BEST RELATIONSHIP WITH PUNYA OUT OF ALL OF US AND THAT IS BOTH HARD AND AND GOOD DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ASK. 

• "Prepare your family and friends in advance for this very important attachment plan: No one touches, kisses, holds, or meets the needs of your new one except you and your spouse. No one. Tell them in advance and explain why. Your child needs to learn right away that you are his mother and father. YOU ARE. You will meet his needs. You will hold him when he cries. He belongs to you, and you are forever. He is coming from a multiple-caregiver situation, so if twenty strangers hold and kiss and feed him and rock him in his new environment, nothing has changed at all. He will struggle to attach to you because you are not his sole caregiver. This principle is not permanent, but it is so necessary at first. Tell your family and friends to give him a “high five” and that’s about the end of it for a bit."

JON AND I FEEL WE NEED TO WATCH THIS MORE CLOSELY WITH PUNYA AND PULL BACK WITH LIVI.  HONESTLY, WE FEEL WE ARE SEEING LIVI (WHO WENT THROUGH ALL OF THIS THREE YEARS AGO) REACHING OUT INAPPROPRIATELY TO MALES, POSSIBLY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T MONITOR THIS MORE CLOSELY.  YOU ALL CAN HELP US WITH BOTH OF THEM BY KEEPING TO THE "HIVE FIVE" AND REDIRECTING THE BOTH OF THEM TO JON OR I FOR ANYTHING MORE. 

• "Keep visitors at bay for awhile. Your child doesn’t know you yet. A lot of revolving faces simply reinforces the notion that people come and go, and he is alone. Yes, these people love you and love your child. They are thrilled he is home and care so deeply. You know that. He doesn’t. Tons of smiling, oversized, touchy strangers constantly in and out make for a nervous, insecure child. Our friends left dinner on our porch and texted us. Our parents chomped at the bit waiting, while we worked our way through the early storm of transition. God bless them."

THANK YOU FRIENDS FOR CARING FOR US IN THE SAME WAY!  THE MEALS HAVE BEEN A BLESSING!  ALLOWING ALL OF US TO WAVE AT THE WINDOW GIVES PUNYA BOUNDARIES AND SECURITY.  SHE CAN CONTINUE TO GAIN CONFIDENCE KNOWING THAT THERE IS A PERIMETER OF SAFETY.  WHILE YOU MAY NOT HEAR, SHE WARMLY ECHOS HER SISTERS WITH "TANK EW!" ACCOMPANIED BY BIG SMILES. 

• "Stay home. I mean it. Stay the heck home. Cancel your calendars. Pull out of everything you’re involved in. Temporarily quit your small group and your Bible study and your volunteer position at church on Wednesdays and your gym classes. Katy, bar the door. Circle the wagons with your little family and hunker down. Do not take your newbie to Target. Do not drag them to public places. Do not spend two hours in the car running errands with them. Keep the moving parts to an absolute minimum."

HONESTLY, WE'VE PROBABLY STRETCHED PUNYA TOO MUCH ALREADY.  IT HAS ONLY BEEN ONE WEEK HOME.  WHEN WE DO TOO MUCH WE SEE HER SHOW SIGNS OF SELF-SOOTHING BEHAVIORS; ROCKING HERSELF, HUMMING, TEARS.  THE SWEET ONE ONLY KNOWS A VERY STRICT ROUTINE, DAY-IN AND DAY-OUT.  EVEN HAVING AN HOUR OF FREE PLAY IS OVER STIMULATING FOR HER.  IN THE ORPHANAGE SHE COLORED AT 10:30.  SHE DIDN'T CHOOSE BETWEEN MARKERS AND CRAYONS, SHE DIDN'T CHOOSE BETWEEN GREEN PAPER AND BLUE, SHE WAS GIVEN A COLORING BOOK AND COLORED.  OUR HOME IS PRETTY ROUTINE IN COMPARISON BUT TO PUNYA'S LIFE THE CHOICES ARE THRILLING AND DAUNTING ALL AT ONCE, CAUSING HER TO ACT LIKE A WOUND-UP TOP SET LOOSE TO SPIN AND CRASH. 

Time

We are making every effort to use our time to pour into the girls; each of them.  The girls have always cherished our date outings and now, they are more important than ever.  I had some special time with Punya on Sunday morning when everyone else went off to church.  We built boxes with linking straws, sorted by color and then she helped me get, an already prepared, lunch on the table. 

Sunday afternoons we savor as a family, resting and replenishing on the Sabbath.  This Sunday Livi and I escaped alone together.  We went to Target to get a few things for Punya.  All our size 3 & 4 pants and shorts are just not going to work for this peanut; size 2 were needed.  Livi didn't care what we did, she enjoyed chatting and choosing and being the apple of my eye. 

Tonight Meg and I went to Hobby Lobby, the girl "needs" farm stuff.  Her and her buddy have this plan to purchase their own land, build a barn and fill it with animals.  The plans delight her to no end!  We discussed brushes that were needed to paint the barn, we found just the right "sign" to point to their property and she showed me a packet of stickers I could get her for her birthday IF I wasn't going to buy a live animal.  (She was gracious and said stickers would be a fine second place.)  We held hands, laughed, skipped; enjoyed being together. 

 

Jon is also taking special times with each of them.  Today he and Livi walked five blocks up the hill to mail two letters.  They were alone and she had full dibs to the shoulder ride!  She planned her time with him and since 10:30 a.m. this morning was counting down the minutes for his arrival home.  This shoulder ride was MUCH anticipated.  (Just wish I had snapped a picture!)

I'm not sure about your kids, but our kids are not involved in many activities. We have been meticulous about where their time AND our time, as a family, goes. We agree whole-heartedly with Voddie Baucham that every child is to be discipled by their parents. How can we disciple them if we are too busy for them OR they are too busy with what we have signed them up for.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

We know that when we leave our home we are entering the mission field. We are making it a point to pray for those we meet in the store when we get to the car. SO, tonight Meg and I were blessed to pray for baby Jillil who will be born in August; mom checked us out at Target AND at Office Max Duncan first declined he had anything for prayer BUT as we were gathering to leave he whispered quickly, "Will you pray my knee pain is healed in the next five minutes?"  Friends, this is "impressing them on your children..." we are intentionally living life radically for Christ that our lives reflect our values and our lives are our testimony.  Our girls need to be by our side to see, hear and be discipled by us; their parents.

http://web.me.com/voddieb/vbm/home.html

sermonaudio.com

"The Centrality of the Home in the Evangelism and Discipleship of our Children "

(specifically starting at 10:45)

This is tough stuff... V. Baucham came to faith in college, he had an amazing professional football career ahead of him and he turned it down to follow the Lord's calling.  He is passionate about family, children and using every ounce of his life for God's glory. 

To Be Used

"Sometimes I would like to ask God,

why He allows poverty, famine and injustice
in the world when He could do something about it... but I'm afraid

He might ask me the same question."

Anonymous

I follow just a couple blogs and this one is near and dear to my heart.  Her passion for Jesus, her desire to be used, her heart for the fatherless, her radical abandonment to live life for Him is what I desire for my life. 
Use me! 

http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/

http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/2010/09/while-we-wait.html

Learning About Her

Punya...

* loves to laugh; contagious laughter that gets us all rolling.

* is nervous about visitors (the grandparents have stopped by), although she will wave to you through the window!  Those of you that are generously bringing us a meal, watch for five waving girls!

* clams-up around men; even looks at Jon questioningly.

* hides behind my leg at the sight of any animal; even our pet bunnies.  Although she has already tried to hold "Jack" (the resident fish). 

* disposition is extremely happy.

* screams at unexpected movement; swings, stroller, Jon doing a push-up with her on his back.

* has HUGE, wide, darting eyes with the elevator, escalator and slides.

* is the best hand-washer & toothbrusher in town!

* will hold a hand at all times while walking on our unleveled lawn.

* finds the car terrifying; she screams every time we get near it. 

* thinks it is the BEST thing that she can drink from her water bottle whenever she wants.

* wants to please and impress us.

* participates joyfully in chores and beams to be included; emptying dishwasher, clearing table and plates, trash, folding clothes, etc. 

Punya is a brave little girl

that is facing life with a positive outlook

and enjoying every ounce that she takes in. 

Father God, I pray for Punya and for all the doubts and questions that must rise up in her mind.  I pray for supernatural ways to communicate to her.  That she would be able to communicate and share her feelings with us; not hiding them away in her heart to deal with alone.  May she feel an overwhelming sense of love and acceptance.  May she know, without a doubt, that she is home forever.

Are You Willing?

We are His hands... we are His feet... we are His heart!

Let's not waste our lives on ourselves.

5 Girls!

We heard it a lot!  FIVE GIRLS!  We received a variety of reactions from almost everyone we encountered both in India and in America.  Laughs, jeers, wide eyes, compliments, jokes; you name it!  We never set out to have JUST girls; God led that for us.  First He gave us three biological girls, all surprises in the delivery room.  While pregnant with Ava (our 3rd), we asked the Lord to lead our adoption plan.  If our baby was a girl, we would adopt a girl, if a boy - a boy.  So upon proceeding with Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) we marked the "girl" box.  While we were already in the process of adopting Livi we found Punya; by description only.  I don't even know now what drew us to her description but our hearts became entangled with her precious life at the age of 8 months.  We watched her grow through pictures and promised to pray for her; for a family.  Two years ago, through many "coincidences" leadings, all lining up in one week, we officially came forward to adopt our fifth daughter. 

We look forward to seeing how and in what ways our family grows in the future.  We are open to your leading Lord.

Perhaps the funniest reaction to the girls was during security check leaving India.  After passing through the detectors, some are asked to step into a curtained room.  All five girls and I were asked to step inside and next thing we know they were lining them up on the elevated platform.  She would move the girls around and then... she pulled a cell phone from her pocket and started snapping pictures!  She would laugh and show them the images and then add me to the mix and start all over again.  I don't recall if we were even patted down any further...

Filling Her Up

As soon as we arrived in the driveway and saw what awaited us I took Punya to the front door and pointed to each person in the picture, saying their name.  She repeated me and glowed.  As we sat for a picture on the front step she was jumpy; excited/nervous jumpy.  Her little body twitched.  I do think she was figuring it all out; this was HER home. 

As we went through the house we would show her item after item that was meant for her; prepared, in advance, FOR HER.  Her shoe basket, her coat/bag hook, her sock drawer, her pajama hook, her hooded bath towel, her toiletry bag, her bed...

her smile was different, her smile knew she belonged.

Precious Punya, YOU will always belong in our family and we will, step by step, teach show you through our love and actions about the most important, eternal family of being united with Christ and His people for His mission.  He has a plan and a purpose marked out for you dear one! 

You are precious; a masterpiece created in His image!

Punya's first prayer to Jesus. 

Homecoming!

Our dear friends blessed our socks off!
The Bible says in James 1:27; Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Our friends have lived this verse out by coming along side us and supporting us in looking after one of these orphans. 

Welcome home balloons and a family picture on the front door and inside the house! 

Plus pictures of the sisters together too!

A beautiful sign with encouragement and love to uplift!

Surprise gifts filled the house!

When we left for India the fridge was all but cleared out.

Upon our return, loved ones have made sure we would have a meal when we woke at 3:00 a.m.!  Plus meals already in the freezer!  WOW!

Flowers and treats throughout the house!

AND... what more could bless this Momma? 

A friend came and cleaned our house!

"Our house smells like a new house!"

"Our floors look different!" 

(Can you tell this mom doesn't polish the floors; ever!)

No places were left to write their names through the dust...

(I also don't dust... I'm a work in progress!)

ghhbgg yjm

(Punya sat on my lap for a time, a word from her.)

Travel Day

The day of travel was long as we didn't even board the plane until 11:45 p.m. 

WAITING for the day to end to begin travel seems to make the hours drag. 

At the airport with our luggage! 

Going to India we had six suitcases to check-in and seven stuffed, carry-on backpacks.  Coming home we checked one suitcase and one backpack and had five small carry-ons.  The clerk told us our family of seven set the new, international travel record of one checked bag (he didn't seem to think our small backpack counted).

Papa with all five girls. 

As the adults were nodding off waiting to board, Livi was playing an "Ask Me A Question" game, Papa's question; "I'm wondering when you are going to run out of energy?" 

Punya was delighted if we allowed her to keep a water bottle in her hand.

Having fun before we board the plane.

Many giggles!

 

Boarding the plane!

Girls ready and eager to fly home!

A bit more than halfway to Newark!

THE DOCUMENTS!

Prayers answered, documents in hand by 9:15 a.m. the day we leave India! 

Home!

After Gotcha Day and taking Punya home, we have been busy and exhausted.  Busy hands wanting to see, touch, explore, poke, grab, feel, insert, open, turn, do and copy.  SO, I haven't had much time to sit at the computer.  MUCH to catch you all up on and THANKSGIVING for Jesus leading our hearts and lives.

Arrived home a half hour early (9:30 a.m. on Friday) and came home to a BEAUTIFUL homecoming!  My mom was our escort and after exploring our home, eating lunch, taking baths, painting fingernails, saying good-byes to Mimi, having a prayer and family devotion we went to bed.  SO at 2:00 p.m. we ALL went to sleep, everyone sleeping until between 1:00-2:00 a.m.  At 3:00 a.m. we had a family breakfast and then went back to bed just to rest.  Just finishing the second breakfast for Saturday, will post pictures and details later today.

We appreciated your prayers for our time in India and our travel.  We experienced an amazing, truly unbelievable time and I KNOW that it was due to prayer covering and Jesus answering those prayers. 

Off to watch and direct those busy hands that bang the piano every time that path is crossed, that open drawers and cabinets, to be kept from the flames of the stove, opening fridge, turning up the music player, throwing the soccer ball across the room... that bang the keys on the computer... I'm off!

:)

Gotcha Day! (officially)

We saw Punya for a short time each of the past two days, but today was her official Gotcha Day.  We went to the orphanage one last time and did a photo shoot with the caregivers and said our good-byes.  It was emotional, which was great since it meant there was an attachment between her and the caregivers.  She is certainly loved there.

We then did a little shopping and came back to the hotel to relax a little bit.  The rest of the day was pretty low key and now we are going to see how the first night with us goes. 

We still have some things to take care of at the US Embassy, so we will make a trip there for an appointment in the morning.  That should provide us with everything we need to make the trip home, which we will do tomorrow evening.  Hopefully Jenn will have an opportunity to write some more before we leave tomorrow, but for now, I need to get to bed.  See everybody soon...

Here is the whole crew at the orphanage.

Here is Punya with a couple women who love her.

Jenn doing some shopping, can you find her??

Enjoying some KFC.

Night Night.

The Lord's Provision

Really it never stopped.  Our Lord Jesus Christ covered us with more than we could ask or imagine again and again on this trip.  I want to begin to write it down here so we never forget AND to testify to His greatness; that it might encourage your faith as well.

I shared with friends many times, before we even left, that people would just show up at our house with the exact need on my checklist.  We even got countless calls asking what was still needed.  Do you know, I left the house once to do an errand and SILLY ME for not trusting because when we got home someone showed up with just the things I had purchased. 

SO... hear these miracles:

1) When I was pregnant I wanted a special baby outfit for going home; something that could be treasured and saved.  I wanted the same for Punya but honestly didn't know where to start.  I wanted new pajamas because I thought that would be her first thing we would change her into.  I also wanted some new clothes that would be her going home outfits.  I had quickly looked here and there but also needed to consider that she may be FREEZING in air conditioning so perhaps a sweater was needed. 

On Monday before our Thursday departure, a friend from Iowa swung by our house with THREE brand new Gymboree dresses, with a matching long-sleeved, warm green sweater!  GORGEOUS!  Do you know what else?  She also had a brand new pair of pj's!  SHE HAD NO IDEA OF ANY OF MY SPECIFIC THOUGHTS FOR CLOTHES!  Thank you Holts!

2) Bags!  Every single bag that we took was a donation.  We even packed several bags to be used to transport smaller portions when we arrived.  So thank you to SO, SO many of you for helping us get there!  A couple specific blessings come to mind. 
a) The carry-ons were the first thing we put in order.  The girls were quite excited to prepare.  Upon stuffing them with food, sweatshirt, sanitizer, wipes, activities, journal, etc.; they were plum full.  Actually, it was too full for Livi.  There was no way she was going to maneuver her bag so I knew I'd be helping her.  BUT, praise the Lord, on Wednesday afternoon the Rothfuss family came by with ONE rolling backpack.  PERFECT, I hadn't even made that request known! 
b) The second HUGE blessing was in God's timing for large suitcases.  The Wedergrens & Moss families had donated one each and I remember walking out of church thinking the remaining duffle bags wouldn't allow us to fill to capacity.  Right then the Lord put Julie in my path and she asked what was still needed.  Long skirts for me and large suitcases were lacking; "I love to shop!  I will go to Goodwill and see what I can find today!"  I received an email later that day with delighted news that two more large suitcases would be waiting for pick-up on Tuesday evening; including three long skirts for me! 

3) The calls!  I had lists... just ask!  I am still amazed today that I would cross off items on my list simply by answering the phone.  Some dear soul would be on the other end asking how they could help; markers, pencil sharpeners, clothes and more.

4) VBS materials!  I received a call from our church saying they were cleaning out a closet and wondered if I wanted to take the excess items.  I figured since I was making a trip to church I would gather them and see if there was room.  Not only was there room for everything but the exact number of items were present to run a day of VBS in Agra.  We didn't know that was going to be asked of us so even HAVING those items in the bag was a miracle.  I had wanted to have some fun activities for kids in case we could bless on them or there might be time to fit something in of our own planning.  NEVER did I know that they were thinking we were running the camp.  Perfect example of God providing when I didn't even know there would be a need! 

there is more... tired and off to bed tonight...

The Embassy

Jon and I picked Punya up today and took her to the US Embassy.  We needed to get her Visa for her to enter the United States. 

We are AMAZINGLY calm about the situation that CARA (the Indian adoption agency) has not sent our Article 23 letter to the Embassy.  They kept all our papers (that we were told NOT to leave behind) and said they would call when the document was received.  They know our flight leaves Thursday night and were confident the papers would be in order before that time. 

Would you please pray that all of this does indeed happen?

Besides that bump, here is our day in pictures:

Our second day heading off to the orphanage.  Gifts for the caregivers, some clothes to donate and activities to occupy Punya at the Embassy.

Beautiful desserts!  A treat for the nannies at rest hour!

At 10:30 arrival the kids were at their coloring or board game stations.

Beautiful dress for Embassy day; thank you Holt family!

Mimi had sent some pretty white shoes; size 8 but unfortunately I think Punya's foot size is a 5!

Lacing fun during the car ride to the Embassy! 

Great activity Aunt Amy!

This was the last picture before cameras were asked to be turned off.

After the Embassy, we went back to the hotel for some "lunch" (more like whatever we could find) and an hour of seeing the family.

Sisters!

New bracelet to wear, thanks Sathers!

Punya spent our time at the Embassy lacing these bead necklaces!

Ella and Meg wanted to accompany us to take Punya home.
Tomorrow will be our official GOTCHA DAY!

Names

Punya learning the names of her sisters!

Humorous... Now

There have been some things along the journey that we will look back upon and laugh. 

Here are a few that we will remember...

A GREAT invention to curb the consistent; "Are we there yet?" question. 

These should be installed in automobiles!

Natives asked us constantly to take their pictures.

The tourist guide says to plan on a three-hour, grueling ride to Agra. 

NOT! 

Let's say 6-7 hours!

We did have some respite to enjoy the pool! 
Meg thoroughly enjoyed her time!

Jon enjoyed his time a bit differently than Meg!

Sleeping was always an interesting game for me to play. 

I was able to secure the top right corner this night!

Poor Pastor Krupa gave me a heart-attack the first morning when, as we are driving to VBS,

 we asked how the day would go. 

He looked wide-eyed at us and said, he didn't know because we were running the day!

Had his day over the microphone while in church!

This guy couldn't find a shoe that would fit!

Barking orders to the cars driving by!

Jon in fancy Indian attire.

Restroom needed for Ava, doors open, here ya go. 

Where?

Oh, of course, behind the wall! 

Maybe somewhat OK if not dealing with stomach issues... UGH!

The girls want you to know that just because we left town

doesn't mean that chores have quit! 

Still laundry to be done!

Returning to Delhi brought many familiar sights back into view,

including the golden arches.

Delhi also had an indoor play area. 

New friends were made! 

Smiles are the same in every language!

AAAH!

A typical lunch...

bananas

yogurt

peanut butter & jelly sandwich

(Never thought I'd savor a pb&j!)