Girls!

These days, there are some interesting new toys showing up around my house.  Dolls and stuffed animals and tea sets and other "girlie" things like dresses.  I must admit, I'm curious.  When the most recent toys arrived, I had to take a shot at using them.

I even tried to feed Leah Grace's doll some of it.

It really got interesting when I invited MY friends.

But it quickly got boring because, I mean, how much fun can one person really have with a TEA set?!?!  So, I started a boy game . . .

 . . . which almost ended in disaster!

So, Mommy and I spent the rest of the weekend watching football.  I'm really good at yelling, "Defense!" and, "Run, run, run!!!"  Mommy's favorite is, "Tackle!!!"  But most importantly, "GO BLUE."

Thank goodness for football season -- What fun!

Update

I spoke with our lawyer, Peter, this morning.  It was a good conversation.  He told me that the officers still haven't signed their declarations (sigh) and we together developed a plan to try to get them signed.  Of course, my number one plan is PRAYER.  Peter said the officers are simply ignorant and haven't had to sign such a document prior to now.  He has not had issues with any other police station -- just this one.  Just now.  Oh brother.

On a lighter note, he is going to file our petition to adopt on Thursday.  Once it's filed, we will be assigned a judge and get a court date, probably 3-4 weeks out.  Wuh hoo!  While we have some major hurdles to jump to get there, I can't help but feel excited about a date certain for my girl.  Much prayer needs to happen between now and then so my precious baby can get home.  Thank you for standing with us!

Speaking of which, I'm humbled by all of the people who were fasting and praying with us last week.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  It does matter.  It does make a difference.

Lord, I lift up the Ugandan officers to you and pray that you would help them understand why we need their help.  I pray away all fear, ignorance, or selfishness that may be in their spirits.  I pray You would soften their hearts to sign the documents this week.  Lord, thank You for the way You have led me and continue to lead me.  I am so grateful for Your many blessings.  Amen.

Live, from Uganda, this is Betty!

The more my Mommy sees me, the more she is understanding my "voice."
So this is my first post!  :-)

I was very happy to see Miss Keren again today and show her how I can play with my friends.
See how ornery I am?

And then, Miss Keren gave me a DOLL.

Do you see how excited I am???

I showed all of my friends . . .

and said, "Na na na na, boo boo."  :)

Don't even think about touching my doll.....

I'm good at teasing already.

Seth, watch out!!

I even made up some games for Miss Keren and me.

How blessed I am to have her!

Come get me, Mama!!

By the way -- Kathryn and Anna have raised over $3400 dollars for the kiddos!  Looks like we will be carrying arm loads of toys and supplies in addition to sending a few kids to school.  Yippee Jesus!!!

Bring Betty Home!

If anyone has ever wondered what blogging or technology can do for ya, boy do I have stories for you!  My new friend Linny is hosting a Crazy Love Prayers for Adoption party over at her her blog.  She and I have become fast friends after a trip to Uganda with her hubby and kiddos and many hours on the phone talking.  We even got to meet in person!  Yippee!  (For another great story of how God connected us through blogs, see the post Betty and her Angel.)  In Linn's most recent Crazy Love, the stories that go out will be lifted up in serious prayer (and fasting) on the 8th.  Part of me feels a bit silly posting when James and Cheremy (you can see all about them on Linn's blog) have been praying to bring their kids home for a year!  But nevertheless, I ask for prayers....

As you may know, Seth and I are adopting Betty from Uganda.  Betty is HIV positive and needs to come home -- soon.  Our lawyer has sent some confusing messages this summer about the status of our case.  First, Betty's doctor refused to confirm her HIV -- a fact that will allow us to file directly for adoption as opposed to guardianship (Ugandan law).  I think we've figured out a way around that issue.  The next problem is that Betty was abandoned as an infant.  Basically at birth.  She has never had parents or any relatives checking on her.  The officers who found Betty are refusing to sign their declarations, saying that they found her.  Um, what?  I don't know why and I am not really clear what it means.  If they continue to refuse, what does that mean? 

This is the perfect week to pray as my attorney has told me that he is going to write a letter to the Inspector General requesting that the officers be directed to sign.  Or, at minimum, given permission to do so.  So that is our prayer.  That this last mountain would be moved, the officers will sign, and we can travel to bring sweet Betty home in October.  Thank you for fasting and praying with us!!

Updates

When I got those pictures of Betty on Thursday morning, I was breathless.  Not only because it has been a long month of longing to stare into the face of my girl, but because of what Keren's sweet email said to me.  Betty is recovering from malaria.  Key word being:  "recovering."  Praise God that even with her status, she was able to battle back malaria!  Amen!  BUT, my heart stopped when I read it.  Malaria.  The disease that claims the lives of 2000 children DAILY.  Malaria.  The disease that orphanages are ill-equipped to battle.  Not malaria! 

The email made me slip into mama mode and wonder (again) what it's going to take to get my lawyer moving and get Betty HOME.  So, I started emailing strangers (again) to see if I could find help somewhere.  Anywhere.  And I called in as many favors as I could dream up.  No, I can't protect Betty from getting sick, even when she's home in the States.  Of course I can't.  But there are so many communicable diseases in Uganda that aren't here; and she can get shots to protect her here; and she can see her infectious disease doctor here; and I can care for her with my own arms here.....

Now, a day or so later, I have words for the pictures that I received.  First, Keren is an angel.  We were right!  :)  I love looking at them playing together.  And I love, love, love the picture of Keren smooching my girl on the cheek.  Complete sweetness!  I also noticed Betty's eyes.  Yep, she has pink eye.  Oh brother!  Keren said she is getting treatment.  Lord willing by the time of next week's pictures, we will be staring at her big brown eyes!  I think my favorite picture is the last one on the blog.  Yea, it looks like Betty is posing for some commercial about kids in Africa, but isn't it completely adorable?  I don't see her "sad" as much as peaceful or thoughtful.  I want to smooch her.  :)

Lord, thank you for the gift of Keren and her willingness to sacrifice for Betty and me -- strangers.  Thank you for the heart that you grew in her to serve and her willingness to have reckless faith.  I pray, heavenly Father, that You would work a miracle in the next week to get Betty's file moving.  I pray that the officers would sign their declarations and that Peter would be able to request a court date by the end of the month.  Lord, we know you are the author of all things and pray that Betty's story would speed along to her forever family.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for ALL of the blessings in my life.  Amen.

Be Still My Heart

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

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!!

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."