Love with Action and in Truth

More bags . . . this time, with the verse!

1 John 3:18

"Let us not love with words and tongue but with actions and in truth!"
$10.  $12.50 to mail it.  :)

Betty and her Angel

More remembering God's goodness . . . a very recent example!

It has been a tough six weeks or so as Betty's social worker has been on leave with her children and things with the attorney and officers have not been going perfectly (sigh).  During this time, I've been crying out to God to watch over Betty while I can't and while Justine is gone.  I've been begging Him to keep her healthy and whisper in her ear that we are coming.  Little did I know what He would do.

A couple of months ago, I connected with a lovely woman who lives in Wales named Anna.  Anna first emailed me because she saw that I had some of her artwork on my blog -- pictures she painted while she was at Open Door in Uganda.  (I love the artwork -- it's why I took pictures of it!   You can see the pictures Here.  All of that painting is hers!).  Anyway, Anna contacted me and quickly became an encouragement.  Married in her late thirties and already a mama, I found myself hoping to be just like her!  :)  Anna also told me that her sister and their family would be moving to Uganda in August. 

Just a week or so ago, I got an email from Anna, after not connecting for a couple of months.  Anna told me that her sister, Keren, now lived in Kampala.  She gave me her email address and blog.  You can follow their journey at Rileys In Uganda.  Anna suggested it would be fun for us to get in touch when we go pick up Betty.  She's right!  But I also had another thought . . .

I contacted Keren right away and told her about Betty and how I don't have any recent updates or photos and how I'd love for Keren to visit.  (Yea, I was feeling bold, I guess.  Or just being a mama).  Keren emailed me right away and said "Yes, yes, yes!" she would visit Betty.  But it gets better.  I put Keren in touch with Justine to make sure they would know who she is when she arrives.  Keren sent me the information and told me she plans to see Betty EVERY WEEK.  And take pictures and video.  What?!?!  Oh my goodness, God is so good to me.  What a blessing!! 

The coolest part of all is that God used both of us.  You see, Keren also needed encouragement that she was in the right place and that God will use her.  Oh how He has already!   I'm so excited I can't stand it.  I told Keren that I'm convinced Betty will be hosting an Angel when she visits this week.  Thank you, God.  Thank you for answering a prayer I didn't even pray and sending an ANGEL to watch over Betty and love on her and whisper in her ear.  Praise the Lord! 

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."  Hebrews 13:2

A Day out with THOMAS!

I'm quite certain that Seth's therapists are OVER his obsession with trains, but I don't really get it.  The boy loves trains.  Who cares??  Many boys do.  Girls too.  And he not only plays with them, but he can identify the type of trains, the type of cars and what they carry.  Nice.  So, I will let him tell you about last weekend!

On Sunday, Mommy took me to see Thomas.  I didn't know what that meant, but I was very excited to ride on him!

I also got to play with trains they had set up for me there (okay, not just me).

I think maybe the other kids didn't really understand how serious this all is.....

The best part of the day was looking at all of the REAL trains.

Papa and I had a great time!

I know these are steam engines.

I also know this is where they "hook on"

Mommy even let me stand on the front of this one.  :)

It was a passenger car

What a great day!

On a separate note, thanks, all, for the great support of Kathryn and Anna!  We are making great headway and cannot WAIT to lavish some gifts on those babies in Uganda!  (I may have even, ehm, upped their goal a bit.)  Thanks for participating!

The Bags are HERE!

My nieces, Anna and Kathryn who have a blog for the Biddle Family, decided to raise money for the kiddos of Uganda.  Here's the background:  Kathryn got permission from her parents to go to Uganda with me to pick up Betty.  You can read about that here.  After she got approval, I told her "skin in" the game was the name of the game.  She could go, but I challenged her to raise *at least* $500 for the orphanages and street kids she will meet.  Kathryn, and her older sister Anna, gladly accepted the challenge!

The girls and I designed these bags to help them raise money (in addition to car washes and lemonade stands and general donations....)

We have another bag coming that looks the same but has a verse underneath Africa.

I will post a shot of one of those as soon as we have it!

Ten bucks, if we see you.  $12.50 if we need to ship it to you.

Paypal button is on the girls' blog here.

Buy a bag!  Support an orphan!!!

(And help my girls have some fun, too!)

When you pay, let me know how many bags you want and if you want a verse or no verse.

If you don't use PayPal, just leave me a comment and we can handle it by snail mail!

Thanks!!

Memorial Box Monday

It has been a while since I've participated in Linny's great practice of remembering God's faithfulness.  Her visit last week inspired me to post a story about our family.

When I decided to adopt *as a single person* one of the biggest considerations was who would take care of my child(ren) while I worked.  Since I am not independently wealthy (shoot!) I have to work full-time and, as a lawyer, that can mean long hours. 

Seth was born in November and I left work on a six month maternity leave the day after he was born.  (Blessing upon blessing!).  I knew that at some point, I would have to start the search for a nanny.  In February, I started thinking about where to look and how to find the "perfect" nanny.  Around that time, my friend and mentor Z emailed me and asked whether I had a nanny.  When I said I did not, she said that our mutual friend Vince's long time nanny might be interested.  Vince is a lawyer and had a nanny during the time when his kids were growing up.  He's also a former federal prosecutor, which was good because I knew that any nanny of his would not be skirting IRS or ANY laws.  (Phew!)

So, after Vince passed my name to someone named "Eveline," my mom and I had a meeting with a lovely Philippino woman at my house.  Maggie greeted her with her LOUD barking and intimidating stance to which Eveline responded, "Hi doggie."  Hmm.  I thought, I love her already.  She came in and sat down.  She was completely calming.  I felt myself relax in her presence. 

After talking with her multiple times, I hired Eveline to care for my son, without interviewing one other person.  And what a blessing she has been!  I'll tell you what -- I don't have anything to worry about.  Nothing!  She cooks, cleans, does laundry, picks up after Maggie (yep, that too), and most importantly, ADORES my son.  They are out and about and busy and learning every day.  In addition to being the dream nanny, she lives 10 minutes from us (remarkable given the size of Chicago) and she's a believer!  Yippee!  You have no idea what it means to me to have Seth's caretaker humming praise songs all day and praying for us and fasting for my home.  Wow.  God really out-did Himself on this one!

Yes, God could have sent me a great nanny that loves Seth.  But instead, He provided me someone who cares for both of us diligently and loves us and prays over us.  God is amazing.  Finding Eveline was just one more confirmation of God's plan for my family and adopting, even by myself.  Thank you Lord!

Visitors from afar

In May, I traveled to Uganda with Pastor Dwight, the hubby of Linn.  It was a wonderful trip, as I've mentioned about two dozen times.... Of course, prior to that trip, I didn't know Dwight or Linn or any of their kids.  In Uganda, I had the pleasure of getting to know Dwight, Emma, Graham and Josh (among a lot of other very cool people). 

Since May, Linn and I have become great friends.  I adore that woman.  She is so Godly and wise and loving and real.  So last week when she asked me if I would be around on Tuesday I wondered what might be up.  Yes, we planned to be here all week.  Linn asked whether I had room for she and eight of her kids and two dogs to crash here on their way to New York.  Are you kidding me?!?!  Um, YES!

So, on Wednesday afternoon, I met Linn and the little kids for the first time on Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago.  The boys were off to a Cubs game and the kiddos (plus Em) to American Girl.  After the shopping and game extravaganza, we all drove out to our place.

While Seth was a bit overwhelmed by the activity (not unusual) it was great fun.  I feel like I've known Linn forever and her children . . . well . . . they are simply precious. 

Can you see sweet Elijah sleeping with his new American BOY?

Liberty

Em and Josh

Isaiah

Elizabeth

Mommy, may I puh-leasssee?!?!?

Elijah

Jubilee and Seth

Elizabeth

The gang!

I could spend hours talking with Linn and soaking up her faith.  I'm sooo thankful for the brief time we had together this week!  Now to get us to Durango....  Love you Saunders family!!

In more mundane news, Seth "graduated" from Early Intervention this week.  They have a graduation party and ceremony for kiddos who have aged out since the last graduation or who will age out before the next. 

Seth was most interested in his "special treat" (a lolly)

And he didn't want to wear his hat....

Happy graduation, sweet boy!  First of many, I suspect!!

Wacky Weekends

Seth and I had a great weekend.  On Saturday, we went to Oswego to hang out with Miss Shana and her family.  Seth had a great time playing with all of Nathan's toys.  Shana and I snuck away to do some, um, shopping for a certain wee-one in Uganda.  And then we all went swimming.  Greatness!  Seth was skeptical of the slide in the baby pool.  That is, until I pushed him down it, resulting in dozens more trips that included bouncing himself onto his noggin' at least twice.  Oh brother.  Boys....

Sunday we went to Miss Melanie's church and then off to Trader Joe's.  You may be wondering why I'm telling you about a grocery shopping trip.  Well, this was Seth's first time pushing one of the 2 foot shopping carts.  Let's just say, WATCH OUTTTT!!  It was hilarious.  I couldn't stop laughing and repeatedly checked to see if I had my camera.  For some reason, the other patrons were not so amused.  :)

Just for fun, here are a few things I get and a few I do not:

I don't understand.....

• 
  
  ....being irritated at a 2 year old for shrieking with delight at the swimming pool. Ever heard of outside voices?  Last time I checked, we are outside!  (If I had a dollar for every glare I got Sunday....).
• 
  
  ....how two year olds can jump off the side of the pool at least 100 times and never find it boring, much less tiring.
• 
  
  ....why pool water tastes good.
• 
  
  ....how devastating it is, after 2 hours at the pool, to be told "no, you cannot take Thomas out to the sidewalk.  You don't have clothes on."
• 
  
  ....why someone would feel the need to declare my child "dangerous" in the water when I haven't taken my two eyes off of him for one second all day. (one eye?  yes, but not two.  :)
• ....why it's fun to play slip and slide on the pool entry ramp while crashing (hard!) onto your hip.  (This almost 40 year old takes a big ol' PASS on THAT one)
• ....why the three year old girl next to us felt the need to "tell" on Seth for getting "his" splash in her eyes, while making a gigantic splash of her own, all while her mother watched approvingly.  (Huh?)

I totally get that.....

• 
  
  ....the lifeguard would tell us that Seth is her new favorite kid.  It's easy to see why.  (HA!)
• 
  
  ....life is so much richer with children.
• 
  
  ....two kids is going to be a challenge, particularly if Seth is still a maniac in the pool.
• 
  
  ....everything can be made into a train, but why??
• ....Seth missed his nanny and ran back and forth between us, hugging Lola, hugging Mommy, hugging Lola . . . for the first five minutes of her day back from vacation.

Hope your weekend was equally wacky and fun!  (Note to self:  in future, attach camera to all clothing)

These days around here

I've continued to pray for the situation in Uganda -- that God would be glorified and that all of the Court work would be done.  Soon.  I don't want to share here all of what is going on with the officers, but suffice it to say that God is bigger.  I tell myself over and over that God loves Betty, and I believe that.  But God loves all of His children, and yet, does not save all of them in this world.  Case in point, Rhonda and Craig's sweet 14 year old friend who went home last week after battling a disease for most of his life.  God could have spared Alex's life.  He didn't.  So while I'm trusting God and begging for Betty's life, I know that His plan may not be mine and I'm trying to wrap my noggin' around that fact!  Ugh.  Sometimes life is so confusing!  Jesus, get ready for my questions when I get home, 'cuz I got some!!

Anyway, because of sweet Alex's funeral,  Rhonda and her family came to stay with us for a few days.  What a blessing that was!  Their visit confirmed repeatedly that Seth is ready (past ready) for a sibling as he talked about Brooke and Avery and looked for them and teased them and tried to snuggle them.  Pure sweetness.  While I had to work for a bunch of the time they were here, we did have some fun on the weekend!

Before the McCalls arrived, we went to my parent's house for some more summer fun at a local fair.  Seth is going to start believing that he gets to go to a fair every weekend!

Mommy, let me help you!

Um, no thank you!!

And these are the promised pictures of Seth hiding from me, playing pretend with his buddies.  Remember the "get out" story?  Yep.  That's him.

Friends, the truth is, my heart is heavy.  These last few pictures of Seth are for ME.  A great reminder of the joy we have and experience in this life, even when times are hard.  Even when waiting is hard. 

God, You are in control of everything that is going on in Uganda.  You are the maker of all, the judge of all, and the advocate for all.  I pray that you would advocate for Betty.  Work the hearts of the officers (and her doctors) so that she can come home soon.  Help me to trust You more and more.  Amen.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all of your anxieties on Him because He cares for YOU."