Pequenopie “Little Feet” July 31, 2011

My goodness I can’t believe how time flies by, Abby is almost 22 months old, before we know it, it will be fall. Lizzy is going to be a senior this school year and Abby is going to turn 2 in a few months.

My heart is still so in tune and always thinking of our hurting children, the ones locally and outside of the U.S. Michael and I both have thought of all the babies in Somalia and other countries that are now orphans, that are hungry, that are dyeing. My heart wants to help all of them, to give them love and save them. It hurts to not be able to do this, to know there are children suffering not only all over the world, but in my own backyard. I can only pray and hope that other families will either support ministries that do this work to help or adopt.

Our family can only do our part, and each family can only do what they can. Maybe supporting a family financially to adopt, there are many adoption sites that you can find, that are legitimate and families have to prove that they have had a home study done and are in the process. Or you could sponsor a child on a monthly basis. Shepherd’s Field is where I went in China, they are a wonderful place that needs financial support. They do surgeries on the children, love and shelter these children and then help them to find their forever families.

http://www.chinaorphans.org/shepherdsfield.php

I still receive pictures of Sharon, the baby who started this whole thing, this change in my heart and soul. She will always have a part of me, I will always love her and hope and pray she will find a family soon, that will love her the way she deserves. I wish she would’ve been ours and if the orphanage called today and said just come and get her, Michael and I would be on the next plane. But I have peace and have come to  know, that Sharon will be with the family God has already chosen for her. For us the expense is too much and there are a few things that continue to block us, from adopting from China. I know that this all happened the way it did, for us to be Abbys’ parents.

Sometimes you just know, God had a part in this whole thing, it’s just too weird how everything worked out the way it did. It was almost like this path, of going left, right and straight, that he led us on and continues to. Isn’t that the way life is, even just finding our spouse to be. If you look at your life, I’m sure you will see and recognize things that happened, that were not of you, they were of something greater and more powerful.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13

More to come!

Pequenopie “Little Feet” July 25, 2011

There was ice cream everywhere, it was Abby’s very first ice cream cone.

We went swimming to Aunt Barbara’s and Uncle Jerry’s and had the best day. Swimming in the big pool, eating chips right out of the bag and ice cream cones, what can be any better than that. 

Abby also had to show how long and curly her hair can be when it’s down. It was just what we imagined and think it’s going to look, when she’s older. But this morning mommy and Abby paid the price for the knotiest hair I’ve ever seen. Back into pony tails for the time being. Abby loved being in the pool and of course was such a ham, she stole the show. She showed off and danced and shared all the new words she knows now. Aunt Barb said we have to get together once a month, since it’s too long to see Abby. Babies and toddlers change so much week to week. She also commented on Abby’s personality, yes she sure is a stinker and so cute. She knows exactly how to get everyone’s attention and keep it. There was a moment that Abby was dancing, that everyone was laughing and it became that silly laughter that is wonderful and great, all at the same time.

“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” Psalm 112:5

More to come!

Pequenopie “Little Feet” July 18, 2011

Tonight our city had their fireworks and the whole time, while sitting on the driveway with Michael, I am worried that Miss Abby will get woken up. Just like a mom, trying to enjoy something and still having that thought in the back of her head.

Abby is growing and changing everyday, picking up new words on a weekly basis. She seems to be looking really tall and is so heavy. My mom says she is solid, that is the right word for her.

Abby’s favorite book is All My Little Ducklings by Monica Wellington.

All my little ducklings waking with the light

Waddle to the water scurry hurry plunk

Heads are in the water tails are to the sun topsy-turvy upside-down dibble dibble dabble

Go my little ducklings wonder wander ramble roam

 Wibble wobble in the woods pitter patter scatter

Plunk plonk splish splosh back for one more swim

All my little ducklings muddle through the reeds mumble stumble bump

Cuddle nuzzle snuggle sleeping in our nest

 Abby tries to say book now and quacks like a duck, she loves to sit on our laps and have us read. She also loves to try to moo like a cow, she buzzes like bees and is trying to meow like a kitty. These are precious days, everyday.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

More to come!

Pequenopie “Little Feet” July 10, 2011

We went down to Tennessee for a visit, to see the grandparents and my sister Cindy and her family, for the 4th. It was a wonderful visit for us, seeing Abby with my parents and Michael’s. Michael’s parents hadn’t seen Abby for over a year and my parents last visit was at Christmas. So it’s been a while for us to have some time with them.

Thankfully Lizzy was able to get some time off from work and come with us. Abby did really well, she at first was a touch stand offish towards the grandpapa’s but went to the grandmas’ right away. Usually by the second day they were more open to the papa’s.

I think everyone could have eaten Abby up, she’s so darn cute and sweet. There are no words for how blessed we are, everyone has accepted Abby as if she came from my own body. My heart runneth over.

We did have some good discussion with Michael’s parents about fostering in the future. It was so cute to see his mom, she knew how the state pays for things, so it doesn’t hurt you financially to foster. Many people don’t realize that you don’t pay for health care, that you can sign the child up with wic and that the state pays you so much a day to care for their children.

 

We still aren’t there yet but I do feel the desire to do this in the future. I know that if it hadn’t been for Tiffany, taking our Abby, maybe we wouldn’t have her. I think it would be an honor to give back, to see families reunited or new families fall in love with their children. God has put these children in my heart and mind, and I want to be used for them. What better way to say thank you, to give back just a small portion. To take care of a child and help them to find their family, that God intended for them all along. God puts things and people in our hearts for a reason, why would I not follow my own heart.

 There are so many reasons that people may come up with, to not do this. The economy, age, not enough bedrooms, all kinds of reasons. But if we all have these excuses then who will foster, who will protect these children. So often, I look at Abby and I know the horrors we have protected her from. We aren’t perfect, we don’t have a mansion, we are older, we get tired but she gives us such joy everyday. Michael or one of the girls come home from a bad day at work, and in her little silly and gentle way, she bashes that bad mood away. Not only do we give protection and security to these children, but we get joy, pure joy.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

More to come later!