Paper Pregnant!

So, we've gone and really done it.

what fun to be pregnant!!

We mailed off our Dossier to DC and then it will go to Rwanda, where the fourth child in our family is waiting. A little boy, who was made for our family, is there, completely unaware that his life is about to change.
He has two sisters who will smother him with attention, love and harassment, and a brother close in age with whom to retaliate against them.

If you want to know EVERYTHING about our family, intercept our dossier! Hours and hours of research, mailing documents between states, letters written, visits to government agencies, extensive home study interviews, tax records, employer statements, family pictures...
Not using an agency certainly has it advantages, but navigating alone can be confusing!


Time Frame: we're expecting it to be about 6 months before we go pick him up from the same orphanage Andy visited a few weeks ago.


The Allen family worked like crazy, and caught up with us in paperwork in about 1/3 the time. Jennie is a bit of a whirling dirvish, and when she gets her mind set on something, watch out!! It was truely amazing to witness :) We are thrilled to have good friends to go with on this journey, and travel with to Rwanda. There are 3 other families coming right up behind us!

I think the Fed-ex guy questioned our competency to care for our own three kids much less add another one, as we spent hours making copies, looking confused while organizing, and spent 10 min. filling out the money orders. I often have the same concern!

So, here we are, paper pregnant.
We will wait with great expectation for what the Lord is about to do in our families. They will be forever changed. In a way we have NO idea what we are getting into, but we know without a shadow of a doubt that we are acting in obedience and trust that that is enough. We adopt this child with great joy!! We pray our passion for the rest of the world with be ignited as we establish a lasting relationship with Rwanda.

Isaiah 60:4-5

"Lift up your eyes all around, and see;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far,

and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and exult,

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,"

Radical

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“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” With these words, Jesus turned away large crowds who were following Him. With grace and authority, He beckoned potential followers to consider the demands of discipleship. For most, the price was too high and the cost was too great. In the 2000 years since Jesus spoke these words, it begs the question: Do we in contemporary Christianity realize the high price of following Jesus? Do we understand the great cost for all who call themselves followers of Christ? Take a closer look at the words of Jesus that require us to consider the implications of the Gospel for every facet of our lives. "

Could either of you who check this blog, please listen to, or watch this series. I need someone to talk about it with!

I'm sure my dear friend Lisa, who puts up with my ramblings/thoughts/convictions/musings daily, is tired of hearing me talk about this.

Of the two people I know who have listened to this series, one lives in Uganda caring for 14 children and the other family recently sold their home, and moved to East Austin to be close to their inner-city ministry.

The pastor, David Platt is maybe 30, (looks 25) teaches through Jesus' words about the cost of being his disciple. In my I Peter precept study we are chasing the concept cover to cover that following Christ requires obedience. It is the fruit of our faith that shows the Christ in us. Obedience should lead me to abandon, not accumulate possessions on earth.

It is easy for me to pick and choose WHAT in Scripture I want to obey, but when I start with Jesus' words, it is daunting.

Who did Jesus go to, and send his disciples out to? the sick, the dangerous, the dying, the despised and the dirty. not the pretty and rich.

Who am I usually around? the pretty and rich. (anyone reading this)

"If we are a people who are known for always being around the healthy and the well-to-do we are disobeying the commission of Christ. "

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, ... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19&21

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?" Matt 16:24-25

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in field, which a man found and covered up . Then in his JOY he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matt 13:44

What does that look like for me? Andy's a bit nervous...

I won't go on and on about it, but would someone please listen to the series and call me?

I need to talk.

Daddy/Daughter Dance

I can't tell you how much I love our little school, Veritas. Besides the facts that:
I get to school her at home 2 days a week
have a free day to do fun stuff outside, or watch American girl movies in this nasty weather :)
don't have to be up and out the door by 7:30 everyday,
I know that she is pushed and growing academically,
I am surrounded by great moms who challenge me,
and the teachers and curriculum are amazing...

Another reason: the Daddy/Daughter Dance.

Caroline was SO excited to go on this special date with dad. She had her dress on by 8am. Now, she did think that this was a dance contest akin to "So you think you can dance". Luckily, for all of us, it was not! They danced the Chicken dance, Macarena, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, and a variety of other very silly dances perfect for little girls and their dads. Her favorite, besides the Chicken dance, of course, was the last dance, which was "Cinderella". tears. then the dads prayed over their girls, she loved that too. Andy is such a sweet daddy to his girls, I am so thankful for him!

Caroline's very favorite friend, Samantha